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Extraordinary acts of_kindness-community_policing-times_record_maine-iserbyt-2003-2pgs-pol
- 1. For more information on this subject go on the Internet to : http://www.NewsWithViews mcomfiserbytfiserbyt4 . htm http ://www.NewsWithViews.com/community_policing/community-policing .htm Also, you may go to www.deliberatedumbingdown.com for info on "the deliberate dumbing down of america. . .A Chronological Paper Trail," by Charlotte Thomson Iserbyt . (see pp. 444-445 for info on COPS) Book available by calling 207-442-0543, checks and credit cards accepted. Book also available in electronic version. `Extraordinary acts of kinuness' BY ELIZABETH DORSEY Times Record Staff BRUNSWICK As part of an ongoing effort to. forge stronger ties with the community, the Bath and Brunswick police depart- ments will soon start handing out commemorative coins to people who demonstrate extra- ordinary acts of kindness. "It will recognize people for helping out with our mission, which is public safety," said Bath Police Chief Pete Lizanecz. "It's a way of break- ing down the barriers a little bit." Beginning on Saturday, TERRY TAYLOR / THE TIMES RECORD A VIEW of the front and the back of Brunswick's coin that will be given to* citizens observed doing good deeds. police officers on patrol in the two communities will carry with them coins embossed with their departments' patch. When, an officer wit- nesses someone aiding a fel- low citizen or committing a noteworthy act, the officer can award the coin in imme- diate recognition of the kind deed. "We need to recognize that the community needs us and we need the community," said Jerry Hinton, chief of the Brunswick Police Depart- ment. "That's what communi- ty policing is all about." What deeds will be reward- ed is up to the discretion of the officer. "It's all in the heart of the officer and the eyes of the beholder," Hinton said. Please see KINDNESS, Page 14 ;w4 0 C) Cd -4 P4 - 1b, 41- 4 Co a) rn 4) 0 CD 1-4 t* ~4 W 41 04 _I CZ CZ A E' 0 a) CZ Q 1~4 P4 E-7:1 0 ;q Cod 10 0 4 Q a) 4~ 0 a) 0 04- 1% 41 +0 F CJ ~. d W zs o 0 o cd ° W .0 ° zs ~ . 5 9 2- 46 two 0 -~15 (D 1-4 ou Go 1. 0 r4 8 d, a) a) CZ 0R4 ~3 a) 34 TERRY TAYLOR /THE TIMES RECORD BRUNSWICK POLICE CHIEF Jerry Hinton on Tuesday after- noon at the Brunswick Police Station displays one of the coins that will be handed out to people who demonstrate extraordi- nary acts of kindness.
- 2. KINDNESS From Page 1 The coin program comes out of a partnership between the Maine Community Polic- ing Institute at the University of Maine at Augusta and seven police . departments throughout the state . Other participants are the Maine State Police, the Augusta and Lewiston police departments and the York and Waldo Coun- ty sheriff's departments. The concept of a commem- orative coin is new for Maine police departments, but such coins have been in existence for decades, especially in mili- tary organizations. After World War II, organi- zations like the Army Rangers and the Flying Tigers began minting. coins for personnel to carry as mementos of military ser- vice. The medallions were referred to .as "challenge coins" because veterans would challenge each other to produce them on demand. Someone caught without his coin would owe the other mann a beer. Within the last several years, law enforcement agen- cies began minting coins as a way to promote the depart- ments and reward citizens . Community Policing Insti- money was provided by an In Maine, the concept evolved tute. "Crime is a community out of the annual meeting of problem and it needs a com- munity response ." This approach contrasts sharply with the practice of law enforcement in decades past. "We were trained about 25 the Maine Chiefs of Police Association last year. Richard . Mears, director of community justice projects at the institute and a former deputy chief in Brunswick, formed the coali- tion between the institute and to 30 years ago that we should the seven Maine police be nailing and jailing people departments in an effort to ' and not correcting the prob test the idea in Maine. lems as we went along," said The idea of recognizing a citi- 'Hinton . "(Community polic- zen's role in public safety aligns ing) is a different paradigm. closely with the philosophy of It's not just black-and-white community policing taught at law" the institute and practiced by Funding for the coins was police across the country provided in part by the Com- "It's police, and citizens munity Policing Institute and working together at solving in part by the participating community problems," said departments, which each Laurent F. Gilbert Sr., the chipped in $250 for the 500 coordinator of the Maine coins. In Brunswick, the anonymous donor. In Bath, the funding came from a department expense account. The departments will keep track of who receives the coins, and the institute will monitor the success of the program during the next year.