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ENFIELD COMMUNITY POLICE STEERING COMMITTEE INC.
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission is to work in partnership with the police and the citizens of Enfield toward providing a safe environment, thus enhancing the quality of life consistent with the values of the community.
Community Policing is a philosophy based on the concept that private citizens can work in conjunction with our police officers, business leaders, and local government to create neighborhoods that are safe and secure. This partnership can help in identifying troubling situations before they escalate into major problems. Together the police and citizens can work to resolve differences in a positive manner.
Community Policing respects and values input from everyone in our community. This is who the Enfield Community Policing Steering Committee is--YOU AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS.
The Steering Committee was established in July of 1994 in Thompsonville, with 29 citizen members and two Community Police Officers. In September of 1995 a good example of local business community support emerged with the donation of the first Community Policing van. In July of 1996 Mary Lou Strom, the then Mayor of our Town, declared Community Policing Month in Enfield, and the State of Connecticut followed this by declaring October 16 Community Policing Day in Connecticut. In 1997, the Enfield Town Council approved funding for two additional Community Police Officers and in 1998, Community Policing was expanded town-wide.
MEMBERSHIP
The Steering Committee membership is made up of residents, local business persons, local government and Community Police Officers. Any interested individual willing to take an active part in the improvement of our community is invited to become a part of the Steering Committee where individuals voice their concerns and work on solutions as a team. This partnership benefits the Enfield Police Department, your neighborhood and the community as a whole.
Examples of Community issues presented to the Committee:
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Discussion of sidewalks being shoveled after a snowstorm, with emphasis on specific streets where ice had built up;
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blighted properties which were eroding property values, what can be done, where to obtain a complaint form and where to direct it;
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junk cars around town without registration plates,
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persons not stopping at stop signs on streets where this happens often and accidents occur;
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parents parking on both sides of the street near Prudence Crandall School making it difficult to pass through;
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cars racing up and down certain named streets;
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teenagers gathering at the Westfield Town Shopping Square on Friday nights;
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drugs being sold from a house next door to the individual reporting this activity and who wanted to know what could be done.
All of these types of problems and what can he done to resolve them, be they minuet or very serious, are voiced at the Committee meetings. Attending the meetings are usually the Chief of Police, Carl Sferrazza, Sergeant Fred Hall, who is in charge of the Community Police and various other officers. The Chief usually gives an update on the Enfield Police Department, Sergeant Hall answers questions asked and how he intends to handle the different problems and the officers present give reports on the disposition of situations mentioned at the previous meeting.
Lest you think this Committee is only problem oriented, there is much that is very satisfying in the work of the Committee and the Police Officers. For just a few examples:
- bike helmets have been given to well over a thousand children to help keep them safe in an accident or fall;
- members of the Steering Committee participated in the distribution of over 350 laminated “Senior Medic Alert” cards;
- members made it possible to provide special Smith & Wesson trigger locks for gun safety; and
- any members who are interested in volunteering their services at such events as Family Day which is held on the Town Green or any other event in which the Steering Committee is taking part are always welcome.
SUB-COMMITTEE
The sub-committee consists of four volunteers who perform the tasks of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. These volunteers meet with the Chief or his designee at the police station on the first Friday of every month at 10:00 A.M. and discuss items to be placed on the next agenda for the regular meeting of the membership, do necessary paperwork and handle any finances. A meeting of the membership is held every three months and the public is invited to attend. It is normally held at the Enfield Senior Center, 299 Elm Street, on the third Wednesday of the month, the next one being on November 19, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. Occasionally meetings are held in different locations. When a location is changed, it will be entered on this website, along with any changes in date or time. This information can also be found in newspapers. The meeting agenda usually follows the format of Minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Community Policing Update, and Community Issues. A roundtable discussion is then held in which citizens are invited to ask questions of the Police Officers, voice their concerns, and offer suggestions.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME. BE A PART OF MAKING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUR TOWN THE BEST IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT! |