Behind the Badge
Community policing is more than just catch phrase at Tustin PD.
It’s a philosophy the department has built a reputation on and, by the turnout at a recent community meeting, it’s something that resonates with residents.
Tustin PD recently held its bi-annual Block Captain Meeting to thank residents for their continued engagement and educate them on safety trends and issues.
Hundreds turned out to be updated on the latest crime stats, meet the officers who serve them and learn about the various programs Tustin PD has to offer, all while enjoying a Hawaiian barbecue meal.
Nine-year-old Ariana Marin of Tustin gets her chance to pet Riggs, a Tustin police dog under the supervision of his handler Tustin PD Officer Eric Kent during Tustin PD’s fall Neighborhood Watch Block Captain Network Meeting at the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Lieutenants Jeff Blair and Todd Bullock gave a presentation that showed violent crime, such as rape, homicide and robberies, are down in the city compared to last year, but some property crimes, such as burglary, commercial burglary and vehicle theft, have seen an uptick.
“So many of these are preventable,” Bullock said. “If you see someone or something suspicious, please call. We can have a bigger impact on crime stats, but we need your help.”
After the presentation, residents had the opportunity to personally interact with some if the different police department units, including meeting Riggs, one of Tustin PD’s K9s, or get an up-close look at some SWAT gear.
Tustin PD’s Lt. Jeff Blair talks to the crowd gathered for the Tustin fall community safety meeting at the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Representatives from the department’s CERT program, Explorers, Special Enforcement Detail and Community Impact Officers also were on-hand to offer information about the work they do.
This was the first community meeting for Yoko Moro, who has lived in Tustin four years, and she said she was pleasantly surprised by the turn out.
“I think this is a good idea,” she said. “I wanted to come here so I have the most up-to-date information on what’s happening in my city. I have a 1-year-old son and I want to keep him safe.”
William Scheer, a 20-year resident of Tustin, said he recently became involved with his neighborhood’s community watch program thanks to a public outreach effort by Tustin PD’s community services officers.
“I just want to be involved,” Scheer said. “This is good for residents to participate so that we can keep Tustin the way it is — a safe city.”
Tustin Police Chief Charles Celano thanked the residents for being active in their community, especially when police relations are strained in many in cities across the nation.
Tustin Police Chief Charles Celano honors members of Tustin’s Neighborhood Watch during the Tustin fall community safety meeting in the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
An engaged dialogue, Celano said, promotes understanding and better relationships.
Celano then pointed to a black band wrapped around his badge and explained that officers in California wear the mourning bands to honor the fallen.
In the state so far this year, 11 officers have died in the line of duty, a number which has increased since this event. Of those, seven were fatally shot, with three of those killings described as targeted attacks on law enforcement, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
“I’ve been wearing this band a lot lately,” he told the residents. “We are on pace to set a record in California for the number of officers killed in the line of duty.”
“Getting people together who support the police and who are at least willing to listen to the police is so important … so that we can start wearing these bands a little less.”
Tustin PD’s Lt. Todd Bullock talks to the crowd gathered for the Tustin fall community safety meeting at the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin residents listen to the Tustin police chief during the Tustin fall community safety meeting at the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Tustin residents listen to the Tustin police chief during the Tustin fall community safety meeting at the Tustin Community Center.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
