WALKING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 47
when I walked to school,” Minichini notes. “We didn’t hear any
negatives about it, and people are asking for more.”
Nardone relates that the response from Local 28 members
was equally enthusiastic. The only drawback, he says, was the
weather. Hands and noses might have been cold, but officers’
hearts were warmed because of what took place on the walk.
“We see these kids every day, but this was a chance to ask
their names and ask them what their favorite class is or what
they want to do later in life,” Nardone recalls.
In the wake of the walk, officers continue to meet students
when they arrive at school and when they are dismissed. These
have become parts of the day many look forward to most. They
might even be inspiring the next generation of law enforcement
in a town that has always had mostly homegrown officers.
The icing on the community connection in Belleville has
been the reissuing of the department’s bike patrol. Prior to 2018,
the unit last rolled approximately 15 years ago. Minichini had
the bikes refurbished to bring them up to date and make them
safe. New uniforms were purchased for bike patrol officers.
If they see a crime while riding around town, bike patrol offi-
cers, of course, roll. Otherwise, they have time to meet and greet
residents and talk to whoever wants to talk. If a new store opens
in town, they stop in.
Yes, their presence has contributed to the reduction in crime.
But they are also the ambassadors of the community policing
initiative.
“It’s kind of like that TV show,” Nardone muses in reference to
the series Pacific Blue that ran on the USA Network from 1996-
2000. “The kids get really excited to see the bikes, and I think our
officers really enjoy it.”
Residents have expressed their appreciation by sending piz-
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NEW JERSEY COPS
■ FEBRUARY 2019
The Belleville PD has been hosting a Community Outreach day for the past
three years, which includes an opportunity for Local 28 members to play
Wiffle ball with kids.
zas and other food to the department. But the greatest reward
came from a classroom of students who participated in the
Walk to School Day. They brought care packages to headquar-
ters one day filled with little trinkets – gum, hand sanitizer and
a lot of love. They were accompanied by handmade thank-you
notes adorned with original artwork, and the delivery was even
broadcast on the local TV news.
“The community is responding to what we’re doing, and
our relationship with them has never been closer,” confirms
Minichini, who adds that the crime rate in Belleville has de-
creased in both 2017 and 2018. “All of that has had a really posi-
tive impact on the morale of our officers as well.”
Clearly, it’s fair to say that when it comes to the benefits of
community policing in Belleville, officers truly have walked the
walk.