Throughout the year, I try to have a number of informal meetings where neighborhood groups can meet to discuss their concerns and just have a better idea of what is going on with their police.
Councillor Louise Alexander, of the London City Council actually incorporates a section of her website to police issues. Specifically, one area provides information where residents of her ward can meet with police.
Herman Goldstein, in his book, Problem Oriented Policing, discusses the concern that often occurs when the police become active in neighborhoods in preventing crime and responding to citizen concerns. Goldstein stated in the book that there have been occasions when ward representatives were often unprepared for the police to involve themselves in direct contact with constituents, a role the elected representatives often felt was theirs. Goldstein advocates the need to keep everyone in the loop to allow for full participation and ownership in problem solving strategies to ensure success, without direct political interference in police functions.
Councillor Alexander’s inclusion of crime and police information in her website is a good example of what I believe Goldstein advocates.
On several occasions State Representative Ray Cox has also included activities of our local police department in his weblog. A good example is his inclusion of our National Night Out Activities in 2004.
Both the previous illustrations are good examples how elected officials can participate in community/police partnerships.