JERSEY: JCSO aims to increase visibility, strengthen community connection
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Community zone patrol concept underway
By Carissa Sitki
Last week, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) began a new community zone patrol concept with the goal of strengthening community connections, increasing JCSO visibility, and hearing people’s concerns, according to Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns.
Manns said in a release that JCSO will be testing out this new concept throughout the course of this year, splitting the county into four separate patrol zones with two deputies (one day and one night) assigned to each zone.
Manns said that deputies will be going door-to-door in their zones to meet residents and hear concerns.
“Those Deputies will be going door to door in their assigned zone to introduce themselves, meet those residents who are willing, and listen to any of their concerns, wants, and/or needs,” said Manns.
Manns said that he is aware that some people may not be comfortable answering the door, and emphasized that residents are in no way obligated to do so. Manns also said the officers will not be entering people’s homes.
“If you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to answer the door,” said Manns. “This is just a way for our deputies to meet Jersey County residents and give them a card, or name and familiar face.”
Manns said he would like to be able to get to every door, though he realizes that may not be possible.
“I want the deputies to get every door,” said Manns. “I’m sure there will be some people who won’t want to talk to us, but we want to give everyone the chance, if they do.”
Manns also mentioned that he had noticed speculation by some Jersey County residents on Facebook that the launch of the community patrol zones and door-to-door visits are related to the recent gun legislation. Manns said the two are unrelated.
“This has nothing to do with the new gun legislation, this concept is something I ran on,” said Manns, “and I’m just following through on my campaign promises.”
The release detailed JCSO’s hopes with concept:
• To familiarize each Deputy with the residents and every corner of their assigned zone to enhance the JCSO ability to deal with any future crime, incidents, or emergencies in those zones.
• To give the residents a familiar face and personal contact should they need to discuss any non-emergency needs, concerns, or fears.
• To increase the JCSO presence, visibility, and patrol in the County, serving to increase residents’ confidence, detect criminal activity in the County, and deter would-be criminals.
• To identify those residents in need and connect them with resources that can help.
• To give residents and/or their children a different view of and experience with the JCSO in a time when they do not absolutely need law enforcement to be there for an emergency or something negative.
• To give each Deputy a better connection with and understanding of the residents they are obligated to protect and serve.
Manns added that he wants to give the public a chance to meet with officers at a time when they are not needed, given recent news reports which show officers in negative encounters.
“With news like what just happened in Memphis, the public usually only sees police at bad times,” said Manns, “like when they are in an emergency or need assistance. This is a way for us to interact with our communities in a positive way.”
Manns said that JCSO hopes the concept will benefit Jersey County as well as the sheriff’s office, and residents alike.
“The JCSO hopes that this concept will benefit Jersey County, the Sheriff’s Office, and each resident,” stated Manns in the release. “For example, if a resident notices a recurring suspicious vehicle in their neighborhood or has not seen an elderly or sick neighbor in some time or is seeing suspected drug activity at a nearby house or just needs an extra patrol while they are away, residents will have a deputy they can contact. (Residents should continue to call 911 in all emergencies and the JCSO at 618-498-6881 when a timely response is needed).”
Finally, the JCSO asks residents to note “that for safety purposes, JCSO Deputies that visit will always be in uniform and in a marked police car.”
Other upcoming goals Manns has for the JCSO is to connect with churches and other organizations to find out the ways in which they serve those in need.
“We’ve been going to churches and finding other organizations who want to help. We’ve been getting their information and other literature to pass along to those in the community who may need it,” said Manns. “After 32 years in law enforcement, I can tell you that we see who’s the most in need in the community and we can connect people to resources they need.”
Manns also asks that any potential resources in Jersey County, who are interested in being involved with this project, call the JCSO at 618-498-6881 and ask for the sheriff.
“In Jersey County, residents are blessed to have government and social service organizations, churches, and generous individuals who want to help their fellow citizens, but may not know who is in need,” Manns said in the release. “The JCSO thinks they can help by identifying resources and those who need them.”
Manns also said that JCSO is planning to employ something similar in the jail by providing jail occupants with resource guides.
“When someone comes into our jail, we will give them a resource guide with information on rehabs and other programs,” said Manns. “This is something that hasn’t been done before. We also have plans for a peer support counseling group to visit the jail. Our worst issue in this county is drugs and we need to attack it from every angle.”
Another way Manns said he plans to combat drugs in Jersey County is to create a youth academy to help youth who are at a crossroads, facing tough or life-changing decisions about drugs. This was another platform that Manns ran on last fall and he says he plans to deliver on it.
“One of my long term goals is developing a youth academy,” said Manns. “I’m still learning this new job, so it may not be until the end of this year or early next year, but I’m in the research phase, studying communities with similar programs.”
