CommunityView
By Maryann Spikes
There are several upcoming opportunities to show your support for local law enforcement – especially the May 21 “Standing with You” event!
Please note updated maps.
Here are updated district maps with MPD officer contact info. to send thank-you emails and keep in touch on neighborhood crime concerns:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B8Fs6QfjIUmvR0ZMbVF5aHIzVms&usp=sharing
At Coffee with the Cops, my mom was able to put faces with MPD and City email addresses, including a few from City Council. She was also able to connect with Rosie Garcia, one of MPD’s invaluable Crime Prevention CSOs (Community Service Officers).
If 9-11 response time is lagging, or to follow up after calling the non-emergency number (552-2470) one too many times for a recurring issue, try contacting your area’s MPD officers. Councilmember Doug Ridenour explained that the beat sergeants and area command lieutenants are in flux so officers are trained in all the different areas of law enforcement in Modesto. MPD regularly sends out updated maps to Neighborhood Watch coordinators.
If that doesn’t work for you, your City Councilmember serves for four years. Find your district’s Councilmember at https://www.modestogov.com/council. The online version of this article will include the latest district maps (both for the MPD and for City Council, whose district maps are different) with contact information for your command lieutenant, beat sergeant, and CSO.
We were also able to connect with Kaci Avrett (<mailto:AvrettK@Modestopd.com>) regarding MPD printing flyers for neighborhood meetings – and you can connect with her, too!
The MPD also held their first Town Hall of the year on April 19 at St. Joseph’s on Oakdale Road. Chief Carroll and Lieutenant Raymer brought us up to speed on local crime statistics, what they’re doing about problem areas, and what neighbors can do to help, with Q&A throughout. The online version of this article should include my three favorite slides from the PowerPoint.
Neighbor Steve Gerringer had this to say about the Town Hall: “How often do we have a chance to ask police officers anything we want? I appreciate the knowledge and tools the police shared — knowledge is power. Halfway through the meeting my wife turned to me and whispered, ‘This is awesome!’ And it was. Kudos to MPD!”
Coming May 21: Standing with You!
Appreciating Modesto PD, Stanislaus Sheriff Dept., & Modesto CHP
MPD Chaplain Don Crooker started a well-received event last year that will be held again this year on May 21 at twelve strategic intersections throughout Modesto. All you have to do is show up at the intersection closest to your home with a home-made “Standing with You” sign.
Besides making it out to Coffee with the Cops and Town Halls (and other community events), MPD proactively received body cameras in July of 2012, implemented predictive policing technology and returned to the use of area commands in 2011, and deploys armored vehicles (“Armadillos”) equipped with license plate readers. Thanks to Chief Galen Carroll for all of the above policy improvements.
See you at one of the upcoming Coffee with the Cops, MPD Town Halls, and the May 21 Standing with You event! See flyers in the online version of this article for full details.
