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Officer Interaction Discussion at First Thursday Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2019
St. Helens, Ore. – The only time that the average person interacts with a police officer is during a traffic stop. Typically, these stops are due to a violation such as speeding that may lead to a citation and fines. Other common interactions include at the scene of a vehicle accident or during an emergency. These are emotional situations where it can be hard for police officers and the community to build effective relationships.
The national news is full of conflict between law enforcement and the public on an almost daily basis. These national stories can impact interactions on a local level, causing already emotional situations with officers and the community to be even more tense.
The St. Helens Police Department believes that a partnership with the community is essential in building and sustaining community trust, effective policing, and creating a safe community for everyone. To help build that partnership, the St. Helens community is invited to a presentation and open discussion about officer interactions on Thursday, June 6, at 7 p.m. for the St. Helens Police Department’s monthly First Thursday program. The meeting will be held in the Columbia Center Auditorium, 375 S. 18th Street.
St. Helens Officers Kolten Edwards and Bryan Cutright will talk about officer interactions during traffic stops, casual contacts, and calls for service. They will share from a police perspective the types of safety concerns and other issues that police face when interacting with the community on a day-to-day basis. This meeting is intended to be an open dialogue where attendees can ask questions and discuss their concerns.
First Thursday is a monthly community meeting with the St. Helens Police Department held on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. A new topic is presented at each meeting by a police officer or police staff related to community safety, crime prevention, police services, or seasonal-specific safety information. After a brief presentation, participants have the opportunity to ask St. Helens officers questions, find out what’s happening in St. Helens neighborhoods, and discuss any topics of concern with fellow community members and police.
The goal of First Thursday is to bring the St. Helens community and local law enforcement together once a month for meaningful conversation about the community. The meetings are an opportunity to make connections in the community, not just between police officers and residents, but also between neighbors.
The vision of the St. Helens Police Department is to provide professional police services that will secure public trust and keep our neighborhoods safe and free of crime. Our mission is to work with all citizens to make our city a place where people live safely and to promote individual responsibility and community commitment.
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For further information regarding the St. Helens Police Department’s First Thursday program, please contact Communications Officer Crystal Farnsworth at crystalf@ci.st-helens.or.us or 503-366-8215.
