Community Policing

Community policing has gained momentum in recent years as police and community leaders seek more effective ways to promote public safety and enhance the quality of life in their neighborhoods. As defined by the Community Policing Consortium, community policing consists of two core components: community partnership and problem solving. Community policing strategies vary depending on the needs and responses of the community involved. Consequently, it is important that the police work closely with all stakeholders in the community to identify concerns and to find the most effective solutions. It requires the active participation of local government, civic and business leaders, residents, houses of worship, and schools. In short, community policing is democracy in action.

Effective community policing depends on optimizing positive contact between patrol officers and community members. Establishing and maintaining mutual trust is the central goal of the first core component of community policing—community partnership. This trust will enable the police to gain greater access to valuable information from the community that could lead to the solution and prevention of crimes and will provide an opportunity for officers to establish a working relationship with the community. Community policing allows community members to bring problems they are concerned about to the attention of the police. The implementation of a community policing strategy must be a dynamic and flexible process.

Community policing is foundational to the operation of the Croton Police Department.  The Croton Police Advisory Committee is an important component of Croton’s community policing strategy.  Creation of the Committee was one of the recommendations of the Croton on Hudson Police Reform Task Force that was formed in response to the New York State Executive Order 203, the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative, which required local municipalities to develop a reform plan based on community input. The Task Force had diverse representation from all facets of the Croton community.  They held multiple community meetings to receive inclusive input and feedback.  Working many months, they developed a reform plan which was presented to and adopted by Village Trustees https://ecode360.com/documents/CR0035/public/590595555.pdf. The entire plan is posted on the Village website: https://www.crotononhudson-ny.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif441/f/uploads/final_plan_1.pdf 

The Croton Police Advisory Committee, comprised of village residents with liaisons from the Village Board, collaborates extensively with the Croton Police Department.  Together they developed a community survey on public safety and law enforcement to regularly receive comprehensive feedback from all stakeholders in the community.  The Committee also holds a yearly Town Hall to share information with community members as well as to give them an opportunity to air concerns and share feedback. Community policing skills are also integrated into the Department’s training curricula.

A key aspect of community policing are police patrols. In Croton, foot, bicycle and boat patrols are an important part of that effort. Patrols allow officers to get to know residents and establish relationships with local businesses and civic organizations. The Croton Police seek to be integrated into all aspects of the community. Police officers interact with community members in many ways including meeting with students in the schools and with seniors at their regular luncheons.  The Croton Police Department has many initiatives that allow officers to get to know residents, hear their concerns and develop mutual trust including:

• Cone with a Cop
• Coffee with a Cop
• Pumpkin painting at Halloween
• Distribution of Trick or Treat bags with information on Halloween safety
• Visits to block parties
• Visits to preschools and daycare centers
• Tables at Village events and gatherings (i.e. Summerfest, Fallfest) to share important safety information and connect with residents

Although ensuring public safety is their first priority, The Department also believes strongly in giving back to the community and modeling philanthropy, so several of the events that allow officers to engage with residents are also fundraisers:

• Dunk a Cop: a dunking booth was set up at the first Friday night concert at Senasqua Park benefiting Paws Crossed, a no-kill animal shelter in Elmsford
• An annual toy drive for the holiday season benefiting Croton Caring Community

Chief Nikitopoulos and his entire team welcome feedback and input. Residents are encouraged to reach out to the Croton Police Advisory Committee, crotonpoliceadvisorycommittee@gmail.com, or the Police Department. 914-271-5177 to share their concerns and input.

This article was written by members of the Police Advisory Committee as part of the Community Information Project.