The Pawtucket Police Department has a Community Policing plan which the police engage the community to solve problems that affect the environment where crime, disorder, violence and drug abuse thrive.

Our Community Policing policies and programs are based on collaboration between police and citi­zens in non-threatening and supportive interactions.  These interactions include efforts by police to listen to citizens, take seriously the citizens' definitions of prob­lems, and solve the problems that have been identified.  Program goals include improved citizen esteem toward the police, improved police attitudes toward cit­izens, more effective police service as defined by the police, and more effective service as defined by citi­zens.  Focus is on problem identification, analysis, and utilization of systematic problem solving techniques, together with a strong community partnership, as a means to achieve more effective long term solutions to persistent crime problems.

Our objective is to obtain a favorable attitude between the police and citizens with encouraging a willingness to work together cooperatively, with improving neighborhood stability and race relations.  Educating and assisting community business leaders in crime prevention by implementing an action plan to meet community needs. Are some expectations for implementing our Community Policing programs.

The department's Community Police Unit has established an effective partnership with the community.  This was accomplished by conferring with community leaders in the areas of business, professional groups, social service agencies, religious and civic organizations, and non-law enforcement city agencies.  These organizations in joint cooperation with the Community Police Unit have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to donate time and resources in support of our Community Policing programs.  The interaction and assistance that these groups afford aided the Community Police Unit in developing specialized programs that addressed current and future needs within the community.

The Community Police Unit continues to develop programs that will maintain effective partnerships within the community.  To address future needs within the community the Community Police Unit has developed specialized programs to enhance school safety and develop closer relationship between the police and the community.  

Click on a link below for information regarding these programs

BICYCLE PATROLS D.A.R.E. PROGRAM G.R.E.A.T. PROGRAM G.R.E.A.T. / BOYS & GIRLS CLUB SUMMER  PROGRAM D.A.R.E. / COMMUNITY WORKS SUMMER   PROGRAM SCHOOL BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM YOUTH CRIME WATCH PROGRAM AUTO THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM COMMUNITY POLICE UNIT CONTACT INFORMATION

CRIME WATCH PROGRAM OPERATION IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM ELDERLY AFFAIRS DRIVER’S EDUCATION POLICE STATION TOURS SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS MOBILE COMMAND POST COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS & EVENTS

 

 

BICYCLE PATROLS

As part of the department’s community policing objectives uniformed bicycle patrol officers are assigned to patrol the two weed and seed districts within the City.  Thirty-five officers are assigned to the Bike Squad and each officer has been issued uniforms and a police mountain bike.

Bike patrol brings a high profile presence to specific areas to deal with quality of life issues. These issues generally include public drinking, youths loitering, street level drug dealing, housing code violations etc. as detailed by neighborhood and business associations. Bike patrol officers regularly attend neighborhood crime watch meetings, assist in neighborhood clean ups, block parties etc. in the Weed and Seed areas.

From late spring to early fall bike patrol officers patrol the Woodlawn and Pleasant View sections of the city.   They also patrol the Barton and Dexter Streets area to deter and detect any potential prostitution activities.  Bike patrol officers also make contacts with area businesses and entered businesses and speak with the clerk/owner to exchange information or concerns.

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D.A.R.E. PROGRAM

There are two D.A.R.E. Officers assigned to the Community Police Unit. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program is taught by these specially trained officers to all fifth grade students at public and private schools throughout the city.   The drug education program involves thirteen (13) week of instruction for one hour per week to approximately forty-seven (47) individual classes. During the year about 1200 student successfully graduated from the program.

As part of the curriculum the D.A.R.E. instructors introduce a fictional character called “Retro Bill”.  He is the official D.A.R.E. safety buddy and the instructors play his video to each class they instruct. Therefore, all past and present D.A.R.E. students are familiar with “Retro Bill” and future D.A.R.E. student will be introduce to the character.

In cooperation with the Rhode Island D.A.R.E. Association scheduled “Retro Bill” to come to Rhode Island during the last two week of September, 2007.  The Community Policing Unit and the D.A.R.E. officers feel this is an excellent opportunity to have “Retro Bill” come to Pawtucket and perform his act at the city’s elementary schools. 

 

Retro Bill suggests that when someone calls you a chicken, pull a rubber chicken out of your backpack and say you're not a chicken during a DARE lesson in the cafeteria at the Francis J. Varieur Elementary School in Pawtucket.

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G.R.E.A.T. PROGRAM

The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-base, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. The program’s primary objective is prevention and is intended as a means against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership.  The G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems.   This program is being introduced at all three middle schools within the city.

An additional officer attended an approved training program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a result, the Community Police Unit now has three officers certified to deliver a thirteen (13) week curriculum to students during the school year. The G.R.E.A.T. middle school curriculum is designed for middle school entry-level students at 6^th or 7^th grade which consist of thirteen 45-60 minute lessons designed to be taught in sequential order.  The G.R.E.A.T elementary curriculum a (6) week course is also being taught to 3^rd grade students at the city’s ten elementary schools.  The curriculum is a skills-based curriculum designed to produce knowledge and attitudinal and behavioral changes through the use of facilitative teaching, positive behavior rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities.

The G.R.E.A.T. violence prevention curriculum is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence.  The curriculum can be used in conjunction with other prevention programs encouraging positive relationships between the community, parents, schools and law enforcement.

During the year approximately 1350 middle and elementary school students graduated from the G.R.E.A.T. program.

Samuel Slater Junior High School seventh-graders Paulo Rodrigues, left, and Karissa DosSantos read thank you letters to G.R.E.A.T. anti-violence officers Carl Barovier, right, and Thomas Hayes, not shown. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a classroom curriculum taught by law enforcement officers to deter delinquency, youth violence and gang membership.

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G.R.E.A.T. / BOYS & GIRLS CLUB SUMMER PROGRAM

Beginning June 25, 2007, G.R.E.A.T officers Sommer, Barovier and Hayes, have been participating with the Boys and Girls Club of Pawtucket with their summer “Sun and Fun” program.

They report to the club daily from 9:00 am to 4:15 PM and assist the staff with the supervision and coaching of members between the ages of 8 through 13 in basketball, street hockey and tennis.  In addition to their participation in the athletic portion of the summer program, they also teach the G.RE.A.T. elementary curriculum on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each week.

The elementary program has six lessons and is taught over a 6 week period. A total of 168 youths (members) are participating in the G.R.E.A.T. summer program.  Because of the volume of members participating in the summer program, officers had to shorten the lessons over a two week period in order to accommodate all of the members.

The Boys & Girls Club divided members by age groups for the G.R.E.A.T. training classes. The first group is 8 to 9 years old and the second group is 10 to 12 years old. Officers teach the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum Wednesday thru Friday from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM to the members in first group and from 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM to members in the second group.

Ten to twelve year old members who participate in the G.R.E.A.T. program become eligible to participate in the basketball program.  The basketball program is conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Members who do not participate in the G.R.E.A.T. program are ineligible to participate in the basketball program. The G.R.E.A.T. officers also assist the staff in the basketball program.

The staff and management of the Boys & Girls Club sincerely appreciate the daily presence and participation of the officers. The officers have been able to build additional rapport with the members who they will no doubt be seeing again in the upcoming school year.

AI Cerrone of Cerrone Chevrolet presents Los Angeles Lakers basketball shirts to four players in the Pawtucket Boys' & Girls' Club/Pawtucket Police's G,R.EAT. Summer Street Ball League. Pictured above are (left-to-right) back row: G.R.E.A.T. Officer Carl Barovier, AI.Cerrone, Community Police Officer Kenny Provost, League Director Mo Jackson, CEO Jim Hoyt; front row: the four league players accepting the shirts - Charlie Rivera, Dajan Goldsberg, Malik Barros and Luis Pagan. Upon completion of the eight-week league, each player will receive a personalized Laker basketball shirt with his/her name and num­ber on both sides.

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D.A.R.E. / COMMUNITY WORKS SUMMER PROGRAM

Beginning July 2, 2007, officers Everett LaMountain and Robert Brown began the Community Works Summer Program.   The program is being conducted at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, in the community room. Classroom instruction and community action projects are being conducted each day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Monday thru Thursday. Fourteen (14) youths from the City between the ages of 13 to 16 have been selected to participate in the program. Breakfast and lunch is provided each day (provided by Parks and Recreation) to include all instruction materials and action project equipment.

The D.A.R.E. officers are conducting approximately 22 separate classroom sessions taught over 6 weeks. Officers are teaching the youths in areas which they are not normally exposed to, giving them a broader view of the police, crime and the community which is affected. Topics which have been taught to this date have been “Creating a Community Vision”, “What is Crime”, “Victims of Crime” and “Safe and Secure Communities”. Future topics are “Where are we Safe and Unsafe”, “Our Communities Resources”, “Your Conflict Choices”, “Conflict, Communicating and Working together.” “Bullying and Teens: How to protect yourself”, “Gangs”, “Robbery and Assault”, “Drug Abuse”, “Vandalism” and shoplifting.

Another portion of the program consists of a “Community Action Project”.  The “Community action project” is being conducted at various sites throughout the City. The site locations are determined by Mr. Bill Mulholland, Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. Transportation to and from the sites is provided by the City of Pawtucket school buses under the supervision of Mr. Gary Gray. At the sites the youths are divided into two groups, officer LaMountain supervising one group and officer Brown the other group. There are times when the groups work together. During some of these projects the youths will be using rakes, shovels and brooms.

To date the sites where Community Action project have taking place are Slater Park from Newport Avenue to the dog pound including all of the baseball fields. Also, along the bike path, pond, tennis courts, carousel, Marconi Gardens ending at Armistice Boulevard. Other sites are Veteran’s Park, John Street playground and Payne Park. At each of these sites the youths cleaned up the area by picking up trash, debris and recyclables. Youths will be conducting a Community Action Project at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center located on Main Street.  Participating youths will assist the city’s elderly residence by reading to them, playing games and conversing with them.  This will not only comfort the elderly it will also teach the youths the need for community involvement in elderly affairs.

Participants who successfully complete the Community Works Program will receive a $200 cash stipend. Although the summer program will end on Thursday, August 9^th, a graduation ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Pawtucket Red Sox game on Monday, August 6^th, under the outing tent at McCoy Stadium. Each graduating participant will be allowed to invite one adult to the game at no expense. Additional tickets can be purchased for other family members or friends. City and Police Department officials will also be invited to attend the event.

To this date, the officers find that the participants are dedicated, attentive in class and willing to work hard and make a difference in the community. They come from many different communities within the City of Pawtucket and cultural backgrounds. This makes the Community Works a diverse program that has help in break down cultural barriers. The summer program has changed the participant’s vision and outlook towards each other and the City.

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SCHOOL BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM

This program is designed to prevent the development of and reduce existing bullying and victimization problems.  The program looks to create conditions that make it possible for all children to get along and function better in and out of school settings. To achieve this objective the program is designed to educate teachers and staff members, parents and students in raising awareness about bullying in order to prevent and reduce bullying behaviors and identify appropriate intervention measures.  In August CPU conducted a bullying prevention presentation to the teaching staff at all three middle schools. 

A school survey was conducted to determine how common bullying is, so parents, teachers, and especially principals and administrators can begin to assess the extent of bullying.  To accomplish this CPU provided bullying questionnaires to be filled out anonymously by the student’s, approximately 1500 students completed the questionnaires.  The questionnaire will give a better understanding of the extent of the problem, including the level of bullying and the identification of bullying hot stops, chronic victims and chronic offenders.

A standardize bullying curriculum was taught to all middle school students by teachers from the advisory department.  Upon completion of theses classes a uniformed police officer will address each class and provide a professional presentation on bullying.  This will educate students to learn that the damage caused by bullying is serious and that there are healthy options for preventing bullying. The presence of the police officer communicates that bullying can become a criminal matter. 

Finally training will be provided to educate parents that bullying is a form of violence, and it creates a climate of fear and intimidation in schools that acts as a barrier to learning.   Parents should learn how to teach their children to really care about others and to treat everyone with respect.  They should learn how to effectively respond if they find out their child is either a victim or a bully.

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YOUTH CRIME WATCH PROGRAM

This program offers young people an active role in reducing crime in their school and neighborhood. It challenges youth to reduce drugs, violence, and crime, and its helps youth and adults recognize that students can and must be part of civic problem-solving, community partnership development, and crime prevention.

In September, 2006 the program was introduced at the middle schools (Jenks, Goff, and Slater) within the city. Each Youth Crime Watch (YCW) Program has either a teacher, guidance counselor or someone from the school staff as a program advisor.   The advisor is essential to the program he or she guides the YCW members in all activities.  The Community Police Unit Officers are working with advisors at each school and currently there are approximately 30 students involved in the program. Officers meet with the students from each school at least twice a month after school. The Community Police Unit purchased 204 Youth Crime Watch T-Shirts with Weed & Seed funds, which are given to the youths who continually participate in the program.

The YCW program is an important part of the Community Policing objectives in reducing violence within the city’s schools.  The Community Police Unit established an email that student can report crime or information related to their school to the police.  The email address is ycwtip@pawtucketpolice.com the emails are being monitored by G.R.E.A.T./SRO and Youth Crime Watch officers.   The YCW officers are coordinating a poster contest at each middle school.  The winning poster will be reproduced and place inside all three middle schools to advertise the email address.

For more information about Youth Crime Watch visit the web site at www.ycwa.org

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AUTO THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM

The Community Police Unit conducted auto theft prevention events within the city.   The events are staffed by officers who provided at no cost a steering wheel locking device to city residence.  Officers also etch the vehicle identification number onto the vehicle’s windshield or other glass areas. This is an effective method of auto theft prevention.  Officers also provide warning labels to display on vehicles along with brochures on auto theft prevention.  

The first event was conducted on Saturday, June 17 from 10 to 2 PM in the parking lot to Slater & Cunningham Schools on Mineral Spring Avenue.  A total of 58 vehicles were etched, 58 steering wheel locking devices were distributed, 24 child restrain seats were distributed and 20 child car seats inspections were conducted.

A second event was conducted on Saturday, June 24 from 10 to 2 PM in the Municipal parking on Broadway at Exchange Street.  No vehicles were etched due to inclement weather. However, 24 steering wheel locking devices were distributed, 8 child restrain seats were distributed and 10 child car seats inspections were conducted.

Future events will be scheduled and advertised in the local newspaper.

 

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CRIME WATCH PROGRAM

The Community Police Units is responsible for developing community based crime prevention programs.  One of these programs is Neighborhood Crime Watch.  The program is designed to encourage neighbors to get to know each other within their neighborhood.  With the assistance of the Community Police Unit participants are taught to reduce risk of being victimized at home, in their vehicles and in public places.  The program also trains participants on the importance of recognizing suspicious activity and how to properly report them to the police. 

During the year the Community Police Units supports approximately fourteen (14) Neighborhood Crime Watches located throughout the city.  There also two (2) Neighborhood Associations (Woodlawn & Pleasantview) which include neighborhood crime watch members.

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OPERATION IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

During the year the Community Police Unit provided electric engravers and inventory sheets to city residents.  Residents are allowed to barrow an engraver for five days to mark their valuables. They are instructed to engrave their driver’s license or State identification number onto the items they wish to mark.  The marking of their property provides a deterrent to a thief by making the items easily traceable.  Residents are also given a window decal to display which warns   potential thieves that items are marked and the occupants subscribe to Operation Identification.

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ELDERLY AFFAIRS

The Community Police Unit assigns an Elderly Affairs Officer to address and follow up elderly related issues.  Pawtucket’s elderly population per capita is the largest in the State. The Elderly Affairs Officer works with many public and private agencies and provides many services to the senior citizens of Pawtucket.  The officer also works closely with the Leon Matthew Senior Center where the City’s Elderly Affairs office is located.  During the year this officer handles an average of 75 to 100 calls concerning elderly issues.  The officer also oversees the Alzheimer’s Alert and Check ‘Em programs.

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DRIVER’S EDUCATION

The Community Police Unit assigns a Driver Education Officer who instructs a two hour class as part of the 30 hour course.  During the year this officer conducts approximately 15 classes, to over 400 high school students.

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POLICE STATION TOURS

Officers in the Community Police Unit in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office annually conduct over 40 tours of the police facility to schools and community organizations.

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SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS

The Community Police Unit assigns a Safety Officer who oversees 28 permanent crossing guards and 2 temporary crossing guards. The crossing guards are assigned at intersection throughout the city where they safely cross all students attending public and private schools

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MOBILE COMMAND POST

 

The mobile command vehicle is utilized by the community police unit to support our planned community events.   National Night Out, neighborhood block parties, local and State wide parades, local Arts Festival are just a few of the events where the mobile command vehicle was used.  From May to October the mobile command vehicle was stationed at the two Weed & Seed districts within the City.  Assigned officers provided crime prevention information and advice to the citizens.  The mobile command vehicle was also used as a mobile police station to support the bicycle officers patrolling the city.  The mobile command vehicle has proven to be a valuable component in the department’s community policing objectives.

 

 

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROJECTS & EVENTS

The Community Police Unit is responsible for developing, coordinating and implementing community programs.  CPU also assists community organizations with providing support at community events.  Some of these programs and events include the following:

 

Special Olympics Torch Run

 

 

Neighborhood Family Fun Days

 

 

Citizens Police Academy

 

 

Child Safety Car Seat Installation & Inspections

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COMMUNITY POLICE UNIT

CONTACT INFORMATION

Presently there are eight officers assigned to the Community Police Unit.  Sergeant Edmund St. Pierre is the Unit Supervisor, officers Carl Barovier, Thomas Hayes and Uwe Sommer are the G.R.E.A.T instructors.  Officers Robert Brown and Everett LaMountain are the D.A.R.E. instructors.  Officer Angelo Squadrito is the Elderly Affairs officer and oversees the city’s crossing guards.  Officer Kenneth Provost is assigned to the evening shift and conducts community policing related patrols.

The Community Police Unit office is located on the second floor of the Police Sub-station located at 170 Armistice Boulevard.  The office telephone number is 401-729-5847 and the fax is 401-729-5845. 

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