Police making friends

By Denise Dick

Residents’ responses have been about 99 percent positive, the chief said.

NEW SPRINGFIELD — A knock at the door from a police officer doesn’t usually bring welcome news, but the Springfield Township Police Department wants to change that.

Last fall, township officers embarked on a residential community policing program, visiting each residence to introduce themselves, talk about what the department offers and learn of neighborhood concerns.

“I just felt it would be good for the residents of Springfield Township to get to know their police officers, and the police officers to get to know them,” said Chief Matthew R. Mohn.

During each shift from about 9 a.m. to dusk, officers must make between three and five knocks on residents’ doors. They plan to hit the whole township.

“So far, the responses have been about 99 percent positive,” Mohn said. “We’ve had a lot of positive feedback.”

Officer Gus Lolakis, a two-year department veteran, estimates that he’s visited more than 300 residences since the program started and says overall, it’s been a good experience. The last U.S. Census listed 8,000 residents in Springfield.

“For most people, it’s a little unusual to have a police officer knock at your door,” Lolakis said. “But for the most part, people are happy to see you.”

His visit one morning last month to The Point at Evans Lake, a gated, upscale condominium development, initially drew some concern.

Resident Tam Dickson got a call from a neighbor when she saw Lolakis’s cruiser pull up across the street, inquiring if there was a problem. She came out of her home to see what was going on.

When Lolakis explained, though, Dickson welcomed the program.

“I think it’s a good idea,” she said. “There are a lot of elderly people that live here.”

The officer gives each resident a refrigerator magnet in the shape of a cruiser. It bears the phone number and address of the police department so residents who want to contact police don’t have to look it up. The department is getting stickers that look like police badges made to give to children they meet in the homes.

If no one’s home, Lolakis leaves the magnet at the door along with a door hanger, explaining the reason for the visit.

Each cruiser laptop includes maps of developments. Many have cropped up across the township during the last few years. Mohn created a spreadsheet of sorts, allowing officers to mark each home they visit and indicate whether they saw the resident or left the information.

Jeff Greiner, another resident of the development, believes the residential community policing is a positive.

“It’s certainly a good idea,” he said. “This is a gated community, so it’s quiet, but it’s good to have extra help in case of an emergency.”

Residents tell police about problems they see in their neighborhoods, usually traffic-related, Lolakis said. From there, those problems get addressed.

“You’re doing a good job,” resident Paul F. Beight told Lolakis when Beight answered his door. “I think the police department is doing a good job. I’m glad you guys are around and you’re out there trying to protect us.”

Sometimes residents invite the officers in for a drink or a snack, and children who later spot them on the street give enthusiastic waves, Lolakis said.

The program allows residents and officers to establish a rapport and residents to be more comfortable with the officers, he said.

“It gives them the opportunity to see you as more of a person rather than as an enforcer,” Lolakis said. “They get to see us as part of the community.”

denise_dick@vindy.com