[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http://tricityvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/TCV-Search.png” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” align_tablet=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.9.6″ animation_style=”fade” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ z_index_tablet=”0″]
[/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider divider_weight=”4″ _builder_version=”3.14″ height=”0px”]
[/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ hover_enabled=”0″ text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=”0px” header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=”1px” box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_vertical_tablet=”0px” box_shadow_blur_tablet=”40px” box_shadow_spread_tablet=”0px” text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_vertical_length=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ text_text_shadow_blur_strength=”text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_vertical_length=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ link_text_shadow_blur_strength=”link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=”ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=”quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=”header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93″ vertical_offset_tablet=”0″ horizontal_offset_tablet=”0″ background_pattern_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” background_mask_color=”#ffffff”]
A recent discussion of the Fremont School Resource Officer (SRO) program at a council meeting revolved around shared funding and the basic premise of the program itself. A draft of the Fremont Unified School District School Resource Officer Handbook declares its purpose as “…serving as a mentor; serving as a positive role model for students; and by enforcing laws fairly and equitably on and around school campuses. The SRO works to prevent and solve problems within our schools and foster positive relationships between our community’s youth and law enforcement.”
Whether costs are out of line may be a subject to debate, the benefit of a familiar and protective presence on campus yields benefits that go far beyond policing unruly incidents. Developing relationships with students, teachers and administrative personnel removes some of the stigma that has surfaced toward law enforcement in this period of violence and distrust.
The closer those charged with enforcing the law and others subject to it, the more chances for de-escalation and control of emotional outbursts or simmering disputes that may erupt into savage actions. Someone who has a good relationship wit the school community can often be an effective source for arbitration and peaceful resolution. The same concept could be applied to a larger universe of schools and residents.
Although the cost of additional sworn officers, even if without expensive vehicles, on foot or bicycle patrols, can be high, but the cost can be mitigated by use of a highly trained, paid civilian corps equipped with tools for rapid response communications with nearby sworn officers and central office personnel. These people may be able to spot trouble before it escalates and inform responding personnel of the situation before they arrive on scene. Such information can direct the proper support necessary without delay.
It seems to me that the more contact everyday citizens, especially youth, have with law enforcement personnel on a daily basis, the easier it will be to build trust and belief in a safe and equitable environment. This not only depends on actions of government and policing agencies, but willingness of the community to accept the concept as well.
As we approach National Night Out, a convivial evening between neighbors and protective service personnel, it is possible to extend the feeling throughout the year. Some people equate familiarity and negative experiences and therefore have contempt for it. Negative assumptions may be reciprocated by law enforcement personnel who often collide with dishonest and criminal behavior. These attitudes can be softened through structured positive contact. . If so, the proverb, “familiarity breeds contempt” can be disproven and become “familiarity breeds compatibility”.
Familiarity and repeated positive contact at all levels of society will breed understanding, respect and trust, all essential to provide effective safety for everyone in our communities.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
