In today’s Star Tribune: Police employ technology to get closer to community
Community policing has been about building partnerships between police departments and the citizens they protect — combining the best parts of the era when everyone knew the cop on his beat with the professionalism of modern law enforcement.
Now, police have taken on added responsibilities for homeland security. As Eagan Police Chief Kent Therkelsen said, police in this new era “need partnerships more than we ever did.”
Building partnerships with citizens means sharing information, and technology is giving departments the ability to share more than ever.
Good examples can be found in Eagan, Lakeville and Northfield, where citizens are able — or soon should be able — to read the police chiefs’ weekly newsletters. The newsletters fill the gap between annual reports and press releases. They highlight the value of routine police work — “grinding it out does pay off,” Therkelsen said. Stories of jobs well done and lives — well lived and not so well lived — abound.
… Northfield Chief Gary Smith writes a Weblog (garygsmith.net) and links to his weekly newsletter, “Around the Block.” Smith’s blog carries news about his family and everyday stuff such as shopping at Target in addition to his thoughts on criminal justice issues such as medical marijuana (thumbs down). It makes readers feel like neighbors.
