The Central Avenue Business Improvement District has partnered with local businesses to host a fundraiser in support of the Albany Police Department’s bike patrol unit.
The Albany Police Department’s Neighborhood Engagement Unit was started in 2011, by former Police Chief Steven Krokoff, now continued under Chief Brendan Cox, and has proven to be a valuable addition to the department. A core piece of this strategy has been the move to put officers on bicycles to patrol and respond to calls.
“Community policing involves building personal relationships and community partnerships while enhancing quality of life in our community, says Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox. When police officers have the ability to patrol their neighborhoods on bicycle, it allows for the officers to break down traditional barriers, have more personal contact with residents and engage them in meaningful conversations. I’d like to thank the Central Avenue Business Improvement District for their continuous partnership and unwavering commitment to public safety.”
These officers ride on specially equipped bikes, often 6-7 hours a day, and the bikes and gear, which were purchased in 2011 when the program started (some of which purchased by the CBID), are in need of replacement. However, the bikes are expensive to purchase and outfit.
Now, city and county officials and local business leaders are partnering to help replace the bikes and gear and keep this important unit on the move. The group, lead by the Central Avenue Business Improvement District, will hold a breakfast at the Albany Ramada Plaza hotel on Thursday, June 25, 8:15am-10:30am to raise funds to purchase new equipment.
The breakfast is being underwritten: by Noelle Kinsch, Albany County Legislator 6th District, Darius Shahinfar, Treasurer of the City of Albany, and Rosen’s Uniforms as Titanium Sponsors.
“It is no coincidence that in the 5 years since Albany instituted neighborhood policing, crime is down 22%. And as people want to move back into cities, we must have safer streets in Albany to encourage economic development and grow our way to prosperity,” say Darius Shahinfar, Treasurer of the City of Albany and Noelle Kinsch, Albany County Legislator 6th District. “Our Neighborhood Engagement Officers are a key component of that. They have become institutions in our communities, they have improved relations with our residents, and the least we can do is help make sure they can stay on the streets, protecting us, and improving our quality of life.
"We see these beat officers out on Central Avenue every day, and our street is better for it," says Adrienne Nadoraski, President of Rosen’s Uniforms. "Rosen's Uniforms is happy to pitch in with this community-based initiative, purchasing new bikes and equipment for these hard-working officers, and supporting the continued work of the Neighborhood Engagement Unit. At Rosen's Uniforms, we are proud to serve those who serve."
The Neighborhood Engagement Unit provides a Neighborhood Officer throughout the City based on geographical areas. This community policing strategy helped reconnect police with citizens and restored vital partnerships with the public.
“The Neighborhood Engagement Unit was created to instill trust and close the gap between the members of the community and the police department, added Chief Cox. When officers are assigned to a specific neighborhood on a daily basis the officers develop a sense of ownership and effectively work together with the residents to solve problems.”
And the units have been tremendously effective.
“As a representative of the business community, we have seen firsthand the value and success of community policing,” says Anthony Capece, Executive Director for the Central Avenue Business Improvement District. “We recognize the ability of a bicycle officer to engage the community and our members at a level that cannot be achieved in a car. We know the police department has resources but as a business organization, it would be our failure to not reward this success with our support and by doing so we feel it encourages more efforts like this in order to ensure their success and continued sustainability, it is to our members benefit.”
Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Chief Brendan Cox will speak at the event. Local businesses and community residents are invited to attend, to support the efforts and recognize their local beat officers.
