CRIME PREVENTION
Most communities look at law enforcement as something that is needed after the fact, but not Wamego. The City of Wamego is growing fast and over the last couple of years changes have been made to help us grow. In 2003 the Department moved from its old location to our newly remodeled building. The department more is approachable and is now accessible to everyone. This has allowed several training sessions to be held at our department in our new training room. The previous Chief of 20 years retired allowing the new Chief to move the department forward, with upgrades in technology and training.
Crime Prevention is just not the responsibility of the Police Department but the members of the community. The Wamego Police Department is active with the citizens and businesses. Whether it is a child at the Tulip Festival having their fingerprints taken, the high school student job shadowing or grandparents learning about identity theft.
The department is an active participant with Safe Kids we have one Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician at our department. We participate in the Child Passenger Safety check lanes that are hosted by the Pottawatomie/Wabaunsee Safe Kids Chapter. These check lanes are not to find fault but to educate. Our goal at these events is that the child leaves safer than when they arrived.
The Wamego Police Department is bringing back the DARE program to the school. Many of the children that are taught already know far more than we think. The DARE program brings the correct information to those that have been misinformed. Along with this new information it brings many ways to help make the informed decision. When that decision is made it brings forward a new line of communication between the students and the officers.
The National Child Safety Council each year through donations from the local business publishes Safety Pup workbooks that touch on everything from “good touch bad touch” to “water safety”. This last year several classes were taught utilizing the books the response from the kids was great. Using these books adds that positive reinforcement that they do know what is right.
When you work with the High School students it is very hard to get that same reaction from them as we receive from the younger students. When they have reached this age they have either a positive or negative out look on who we are and what we do. The School Resource Officer program is not new to our area. However it has been dormant for a couple of years. A School Resource Officer is just that, a resource. We are there to be a teacher and enforcer if needed. We are there to help correct a problem if we can and have that extra contact with those that can help. Many times we are seen as the bad guy, even though we are there after the crime has been committed. When the school has problems whether it is bathroom graffiti or marijuana possession in school the resource officer is looked to for help. Many presentations have been given to the students. What can happen on the side of the road during a traffic stop, violence in dating and why English classes are important? The SRO also gets to gain many new friendships that really can make a difference. Not only are we seen at the school by the students but at the extra activities this gives the parents a chance to get to know us.
The department has many different roles in the community. Many of those roles go without notice but without the dedication of the officers and the support of the community this could not happen. These changes will continue thanks to that same dedication and support.
Crime Prevention is just not the responsibility of the Police Department but the members of the community. The Wamego Police Department is active with the citizens and businesses. Whether it is a child at the Tulip Festival having their fingerprints taken, the high school student job shadowing or grandparents learning about identity theft.
The department is an active participant with Safe Kids we have one Child Passenger Safety Seat Technician at our department. We participate in the Child Passenger Safety check lanes that are hosted by the Pottawatomie/Wabaunsee Safe Kids Chapter. These check lanes are not to find fault but to educate. Our goal at these events is that the child leaves safer than when they arrived.
The Wamego Police Department is bringing back the DARE program to the school. Many of the children that are taught already know far more than we think. The DARE program brings the correct information to those that have been misinformed. Along with this new information it brings many ways to help make the informed decision. When that decision is made it brings forward a new line of communication between the students and the officers.
The National Child Safety Council each year through donations from the local business publishes Safety Pup workbooks that touch on everything from “good touch bad touch” to “water safety”. This last year several classes were taught utilizing the books the response from the kids was great. Using these books adds that positive reinforcement that they do know what is right.
When you work with the High School students it is very hard to get that same reaction from them as we receive from the younger students. When they have reached this age they have either a positive or negative out look on who we are and what we do. The School Resource Officer program is not new to our area. However it has been dormant for a couple of years. A School Resource Officer is just that, a resource. We are there to be a teacher and enforcer if needed. We are there to help correct a problem if we can and have that extra contact with those that can help. Many times we are seen as the bad guy, even though we are there after the crime has been committed. When the school has problems whether it is bathroom graffiti or marijuana possession in school the resource officer is looked to for help. Many presentations have been given to the students. What can happen on the side of the road during a traffic stop, violence in dating and why English classes are important? The SRO also gets to gain many new friendships that really can make a difference. Not only are we seen at the school by the students but at the extra activities this gives the parents a chance to get to know us.
The department has many different roles in the community. Many of those roles go without notice but without the dedication of the officers and the support of the community this could not happen. These changes will continue thanks to that same dedication and support.
