York City PD builds community relationships with beach trip
The York City Police Department has a community outreach program. Kids from the city are encouraged to come and hang out with their local police officers, and have some new experiences while they’re at it. On Wednesday, the group took an adventure to the beach.”I went on a boogie board,” said Jonestio, one of the kids who participates For many of the 25 children who participated, it was their first time at the beach. “We were swimming and playing football,” said Jonestio. “And we were playing ball, and sand castles. Then we were on those boogie boards.”A team from the YCPD leads these experiences, often having just as much fun as the kids.”Just seeing them somewhere where some of them have never been to get to experience that. The beach is my favorite place to be. So to share that with them was very rewarding,” said Joan Henney, the community outreach coordinator for the York City Police Department.These relationships are built not only on shared experiences but on trust outside of the community center as well.Lt. Kyle Hower of the York City Police Department explained, “If we’re out here in uniform, and we’re responding to something, these kids know us by first name. They can come up, and we’re a lot more approachable that way.”Officer Michael Reinert, a community engagement officer with the York City Police Department, emphasized the importance of these events, saying, “Seeing these kids go out and get to do things that they might not normally get to do. I love seeing and it’s always telling when they do it. Because you always see the big giant smiles with all these events that we and, you know, just having them, feel comfortable with us is our goal.”The beach trip was one of several outings planned for the summer, with others taken to educational sites.Some officers say they have known these children for years, and the relationships formed through the community outreach program are invaluable.”When you do this work, that’s what you work for. That’s the highlight of it. That’s the place. That’s the bonus, you know,” said Henney.Reinert added, “When you see that smile, to me, that’s worth everything that we do.”The York City Police Department’s community outreach team works very hard to make these experiences happen for the kids.The goals — forging relationships and creating safe spaces for conversations and questions. They do accept donations to support field trips, and if you’re interested in helping, you can reach out to the department directly.
The York City Police Department has a community outreach program. Kids from the city are encouraged to come and hang out with their local police officers, and have some new experiences while they’re at it. On Wednesday, the group took an adventure to the beach.
“I went on a boogie board,” said Jonestio, one of the kids who participates
For many of the 25 children who participated, it was their first time at the beach.
“We were swimming and playing football,” said Jonestio. “And we were playing ball, and sand castles. Then we were on those boogie boards.”
A team from the YCPD leads these experiences, often having just as much fun as the kids.
“Just seeing them somewhere where some of them have never been to get to experience that. The beach is my favorite place to be. So to share that with them was very rewarding,” said Joan Henney, the community outreach coordinator for the York City Police Department.
These relationships are built not only on shared experiences but on trust outside of the community center as well.
Lt. Kyle Hower of the York City Police Department explained, “If we’re out here in uniform, and we’re responding to something, these kids know us by first name. They can come up, and we’re a lot more approachable that way.”
Officer Michael Reinert, a community engagement officer with the York City Police Department, emphasized the importance of these events, saying, “Seeing these kids go out and get to do things that they might not normally get to do. I love seeing and it’s always telling when they do it. Because you always see the big giant smiles with all these events that we and, you know, just having them, feel comfortable with us is our goal.”
The beach trip was one of several outings planned for the summer, with others taken to educational sites.
Some officers say they have known these children for years, and the relationships formed through the community outreach program are invaluable.
“When you do this work, that’s what you work for. That’s the highlight of it. That’s the place. That’s the bonus, you know,” said Henney.
Reinert added, “When you see that smile, to me, that’s worth everything that we do.”
The York City Police Department’s community outreach team works very hard to make these experiences happen for the kids.
The goals — forging relationships and creating safe spaces for conversations and questions. They do accept donations to support field trips, and if you’re interested in helping, you can reach out to the department directly.
link
