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New Hampshire

Bedford PD Offers Community Policing Programs

Programs available for seniors, youth, businesses and more

By Ryan O'Connor

The Bedford Police Department is currently offering the following programs to those interested in participating in community policing initiatives:

Senior Citizens Program: The "Are You OK?" program is a FREE telephone reassurance program for senior citizens who are disabled, medically infirm, or home bound. This service is a great peace of mind for family and friends. We also offer information to senior citizens to educate on crimes that target the older population (i.e. identify theft, fraud, and phone scams). Youth Programs: Building a relationship with local youth is a priority at the Bedford Police Department. Some of the department's youth programs include story time to Bedford daycare and schools. The Bedford Police will also be hosting a bicycle rodeo this summer that will include demonstrations by our own police mountain bicycle officers. Neighborhood Watch: A crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of residents in town in cooperation with the Bedford Police to reduce crime, solve problems and improve the quality of life in the town of Bedford. The department also offer tips and suggestions on how to protect you and your family. Business and Retail: The Bedford Police meet with the business and retail establishments in town to educate and help reduce the different crimes that occur with in the business and retail groups in the town of Bedford.

For more information regarding any of Bedford PD's community policing programs, call 472-5113. You can also contact the department by e-mail at:
mbernard@bedfordnh.org, kthrasher@bedfordnh.org. dnightingale@bedfordnh.org

And police ask you to remember, help keep an eye on Bedford ... "See something, say something."

http://bedford-nh.patch.com/articles/bedford-police-offer-several-community-policing-programs

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California

'Stop and frisk' does little but create conflict

THE STOP-AND-FRISK DEBATE Don't frisk: Policy undermines trust

By Malia Cohen

There are no easy solutions to the gang activity or gun violence in our city. That said, I can't think of a worse step than implementing a version of New York City's stop-and-frisk policy.

In New York, the police are stopping hundreds of thousands of law-abiding residents each year, the vast majority of which are African American, Latino and youth - and, on average, 9 out of every 10 stops resulted in no ticket or arrest.

Data analyzed by the New York Civil Liberties Union show that last year New Yorkers were stopped by the police 685,724 times, or approximately 1,879 times a day.

Of those stops, 88 percent yielded no violation.

Fifty-three percent of those stopped were African American, 34 percent were Latino.

Firty-one percent were between the ages of 14 and 24.

I am a strong advocate for community policing. I have supported increased funding for additional police academy classes to ensure that we have adequate staffing at all of our district police stations. I have supported community groups such as the Community Response Network, the Community Ambassadors Program, TURF and other groups that work to provide services to and alternatives for San Francisco's at-risk youth.

Most of all, I have worked with community leaders and the San Francisco Police Department to build trust between our citizens and law enforcement. And we have been successful.

New York City's stop-and-frisk policy has been in place for nearly a decade and, by many accounts, has yielded little success. Instead, it has created conflict between citizens and law enforcement. It raises serious concerns about racial profiling and illegal search.

As the supervisor representing San Francisco's southeastern neighborhoods, I am acutely aware of our city's public safety challenges. That is why I have worked tirelessly with law enforcement, community groups, victims' rights groups, families and the faith community on a comprehensive approach to public safety.

The mayor should drop the idea of implementing "stop and frisk."

San Francisco should remain focused on community policing that values both law enforcement and building relationships with communities who live with gun violence.

Anything less would undermine decades of hard work in building trust between local law enforcement and our neighborhoods. ?

SFGate poll: Should San Francisco implement a stop-and-frisk policy to reduce gun violence? Go to sfgate.com/opinion

Malia Cohen is a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors .

http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Stop-and-frisk-does-little-but-create-conflict-3682844.php