Dorothy Day House is site of community police cookout

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

YOUNGSTown

City Police Chief Robin Lees and officer Barbara Copeland grilled hot dogs and burgers during a recent cookout at the Dorothy Day House, 620 Belmont Ave., as part of a Community Police Unit initiative.

Dorothy Day House, on the North Side and in the 3rd Ward, is a refuge for the homeless and people in need.

Lees said community policing “on all sides” of the city presents different issues. “Urban policing faces challenges presented by situations of the urban area,” he said.

The Community Police Unit headed by Detective Sgt. Pat Kelly, which began operations in June, has an officer assigned exclusively to each of the city’s seven wards. The goal is for those officers to form connections with residents and community groups and to work in those wards daily to address problems.

Lees said the cookout at Dorothy Day was a way to “meet people in a social setting, not police confrontation. That helps develop communication and some level of trust,” he said

He added that when police get to know the people who are served by the Dorothy Day House, information is shared. “They’re out there and know what’s going on. They can provide information to help us predict or anticipate problems,” he said, adding that benefits the community at large.

“When we figure out trends, we get out in front of situations and aren’t only reactive,” Lees said.

Copeland, who is assigned to the Community Police Unit, met with Sister Ann McManamon, Dorothy Day House director, and suggested the cookout. She said, “Sister Ann is working to bring the community together. I want people here to know I’m approachable. This is part of me; it’s part of her.”

The officer, who has 151/2 years on the force, said she looks at the community police effort as a way to let people know “the negative stuff about police is just a small part of the story. There are so many good officers who help people and children every day. People often don’t see that side.”

Copeland said she knows of officers who have changed tires for motorists, pushed cars out of snowdrifts and just helped city residents in general. “I want them to see me as a neighbor and source of information to help them,” she said.

The longtime officer also noted that making friends with people in the neighborhoods in the 3rd Ward benefits her as well. “They’re my backup, in a sense. They can make a call to help me out,” she said. On the flip side, she said, she can provide information on resources they could use.

From the patrol aspect, Copeland said driving through the parking lots at the Dorothy Day House and Sterling McCullough Williams Funeral Home, 632 Belmont Ave., also is a “deterrent” because it shows a police presence. “People are welcome to eat at Dorothy Day but not to loiter. I want them to watch out for Sister Ann,” she said. “I want them to see and know me. ... I’ll respect them if they respect me.”

Copeland said the Belmont neighborhood is challenging because of the varied “landscape” of residences, businesses, Dorothy Day House and St. Elizabeth Health Center. “You learn how to deal with what’s here,” she said.

Sister Ann said she welcomed the community police effort. She said the Dorothy Day House has experienced four thefts including gardening equipment, and her personal space in the house was “invaded” and items stolen. She believes more of a “police presence” in the neighborhood will help.

“I’m grateful for Officer Copeland – for her experience, friendship and the security she provides,” Sister Ann said. “We’re going to build on this partnership.”

Sister Ann also credited Lees with “being receptive” to her invitation to “build bridges” among the Dorothy Day House, its patrons and the police.

Mayor John A McNally said the community police effort is a “way for the police to better know the people in the neighborhood.” That knowledge is part of the improvement effort along the Belmont Avenue corridor, he said.

Councilman Nate Pinkard, D-3rd, said, “This is what community policing is about – knowing the people and dealing with quality-of-life issues.”