The Mansfield Police Department, collaborating with various nonprofits and government agencies, hosted a block party in North Lake Park Saturday afternoon with a mission to reach out to residents. The North End has experienced spikes in crime in recent years and the department wanted to explore different approaches to this concern utilizing a community policing model.
Families could enjoy food, games, a bouncy house, balloon animals, and face painting. Area agencies also had booths with information about programs and services. One mother was surprised to learn about the swimming and athletics programs offered at Friendly House.
The Mansfield Art Center had a table offering craft activities. And the Lexington Moose partnered with the police to offer a complimentary ID program.
A hub for community activities in the North End community is the North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC). Their booth included information about farmers markets, community gardening, their oral history project, the upcoming Tour de Fleur program, and many other initiatives.
Although community policing as a program has suffered significant reductions over the years, the department still believes strongly in the value of the model. In tough budgetary times one way to do this is through community partnerships outside the department. One such partnership is a strategic engagement with NECIC.
“We’re happy to be working with Deanna West-Torrence and NECIC,” said Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz as he grilled hot dogs.
Mayor Timothy Theaker and some members of his staff attended the event. “I think its a great idea and they want to get the community involved, show the kids they’re here for them. Hats off to Chief Coontz and Assistant Chief Porch. It’s a great thing,” said Theaker.
Coontz appreciates the administration’s support. “The mayor is trying to help by finding ways to hire more officers. When you should have 100, but you only have 73, the patrol bureau comes first. We’d really like to get back to community policing the way it was before,” said Coontz.
Thanks to the receipt of grant monies the department hopes to plan more events in the future. Funding for this initiative was provided by the partnership collaborative between the Mansfield Division of Police and the Northern Ohio Violent Crime Consortium (N.O.V.C.C) which are working together to reduce violent crimes throughout north Central Ohio.
The Police Athletic League (PAL) already works collaboratively with Friendly House to offer mentoring and youth development activities. The plan is to enhance and grow those efforts while also adding a focus on crime prevention strategies.
Coontz was happy with this first block party. “The administrative staff wanted to reach out to the community and it looks like everyone is having a good time,” said Coontz.
The Mansfield Police Department would like to say, “Thank you” to the below listed participants, agencies and businesses who sponsored and/or donated items for the “Building the Block” neighborhood party:
North End Community Improvement Collaborative (NECIC), Pepsico of Mansfield, Meijer, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #32, Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department, Moose Lodge #2511 Lexington, Ohio, Mansfield Fire Department, Mansfield Art Center, METRICH, Friendly House, Community Action for Capable Youth (CACY), PAL Youth Leadership, Mansfield Police Explorers Youth Group
