Do Something!

[Tom]

UAW Local 3056 deputies: 'We're there because we care'

Gwynne Marie Cobb writes in Solidarity

Folks in the neighborhoods of Lucas County, Ohio, are used to seeing sheriffs cruise by on routine patrols. What they may not know is that the county's finest – who are also UAW Local 3056 members – put in hours of their own time, partnering with citizens and local law enforcement.

What started as simply as Neighborhood Watch efforts in the early 1980s has evolved into community policing a decade later. The UAW members' mission is to build partnerships with community volunteers that create safer neighborhoods.

"We're part of the community. We're here because of the community. The resources provided to the sheriff's office are a direct result of the community's tax dollars. We have a responsibility to give back," said Aaron Nolan, a Lucas County sheriff and Local 3056 president.

The local is made up of about 455 noncommand workers from the Lucas County Sheriff's Office, including sheriffs and deputies, corrections officers, clerks, counselors and janitorial staff. The unit joined the UAW in 2006 after a previous affiliation.

"We wanted to be represented by a union that would go to bat for us and be at the table defending our rights, making sure our voice was heard. Our area is directly correlated with the UAW," said Nolan. "I have several family members that have been UAW for 30 years or more. I take pride in being a UAW member."

Another example of the local's community outreach is volunteering for the child fingerprinting program, which is funded by federal grants for supplies and has one full-time member assigned. Local 3056 volunteers conduct fingerprinting for children at area events.

"This is a parent's opportunity to put an extra safety measure in place. God forbid, if someone has to go through the tragedy of needing their child's fingerprints, at least they'll have them and they're a step ahead a lot of parents in ensuring the safety of their child," he said.

Other popular programs benefiting from the unit's volunteer efforts are the Police Athletic League (PAL), where the slogan is "filling playgrounds, not prisons." Children can participate in nearly every sport, from boxing to baseball and bowling to cheerleading. There's even sewing and Cub Scouts.

Since it was founded in 1983, the federally funded DARE program (which stands for Drug Abuse Resistance Education) continues to teach children from kindergarten through 12th grade how to resist peer pressure and pursue productive drug-free and violence-free lives.

Nolan called the local's volunteer efforts a "win-win all around."

"It's a good opportunity for kids to see us coming and not be instantly apprehensive because a cop is around, and knowing that we're there because we genuinely care," he added. "It's a trust-building opportunity for everyone. It helps us because we get to see some kids in a different element and that helps us stay open minded."

The July/August issue will be on line soon at this link: http://www.uaw.org/solidarity/index.php

Union members in Pinellas are helping southside residents keep their neighborhood safe and building better police community relations.
http://www.bartlettpark.net/2008/12/...uesday-at.html
http://www.bartlettpark.net/2009/04/...-out-this.html

Smoke and mirrows my friend. I can't believe you buy into that crap.
Ever heard of "Paint Your Heart Out Tampa" ? Every cop on a promotional list is there, just to play the game and get their face seen by the brass.

More freaking Frederal tax dollors were handed out to St. Pete(southside) over the last 10 years, they could have built an entire new city. Those of us who work for a living and are raising a family without government assistance, are doing plenty for society without giving our personnal time to some lazy azz getting a free ride and ALWAYS asking for more.

From the look of my paycheck, I give pletty.

Now go away.

[Tom]

We don't control the wasted money spent by the city. Funding for crazy things like the Uhuru community center came from politicians like Rick Baker and Bill Young. The Dome and extra roads to connect with I-275 tore up homes and cost a fortune but did nothing to benefit the residents. Money is scarce for really useful things.

Painting the worst home on a block does help. You can stay home while others volunteer.

Having stronger support from residents of high crime areas does make a big difference but does not substitute for adequate funding.

When lots of community organizations have a realistic picture of the challenges facing law enforcement you will see more public pressure to pay the taxes needed for public safety and to cut the frills that divert money from basics. Positive interaction with off duty officers has a side benefit of educating the public. Too many voters get their ideas on law enforcement from cop shows on TV where every crime is solved by the end of the show.

When hundreds of residents march through a high crime area demanding an end to the no snitch culture you can see the potential for a big improvement in cooperation and more effective policing. Bartlett Park residents are struggling to make that happen and need more outside support. Tips and calls from residents are up. We believe if we keep up the pressure with citizens patrols, block parties, National Night Out etc we can keep things from sliding backwards.

This earlier message described our protest marches in April: http://forums.leoaffairs.com/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=85995 , http://www.bartlettpark.net/2009/04/...-out-this.html

We had pastors go door to door to talk to every home: http://www.bartlettpark.net/2008/06/...rdale-and.html

Any better ideas are welcome.