SACRAMENTO, Calif — For some, it can seem like the police are only around when bad things are happening. The Stockton Police Department began a program in 2013 aimed to start to change that sentiment as soon as a major crime occurs.
The Neighborhood Impact Protocol Team goes out to help direct people with finding resources and sharing information about how the community can help the police work towards lowering crime.
After a few days pass when a violent crime is committed, a group of community service officers, police chaplains and other officers will go back to the neighborhood where the tragedy occurred and start a conversation with neighbors.
Joe Silva, the Stockton Police's public information officer, said that this is a way for the officers to be there for the neighboorhood.
"It's good for building police and community trust," Silva said.
Silva explained that the Neighborhood Impact Protocol Program was started in response to the communities critiques that Stockton Police would be there for the tragedy while it was happening and then not return. He said that in the early 2010s, Stockton officers were combating a high crime rate when the critiques were made.
The City of Stockton saw a decrease in crime in 2018, and officers say they're still going to walk the neighboorhood after tragedy strikes neighborhood. Silva said it helps to continue the relationship between the community and the police.
"It's about making a connection and letting the police officers are here for them," Silva said.
Silva also said that after doing the walks in the neighborhood, the police see a rise in crime tips to their Crime Stoppers program. He said that people often start or join neighborhood watch programs as a result of the talking with the police on these visits.
Silva said that starting conversations in the community with police officers helps the police in knowing how to better serve their community and allow the community to be heard.
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Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones says a big reason for the downward trend is community involvement. He says the department has given the community "tools" they can use to help curb the violence.