Families met with the Mantua Township Police Department at Wawa with free coffee and gifts and used the time to discuss community issues and to learn more about the police department.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Officers with the Mantua Township Police Department set up a small table complete with free items in front of the new Wawa gas station in Mantua on Oct. 3. For the officers, it’s a way for them to meet residents in a calm setting, and for the residents, it allows for them to feel safer.
Throughout the night, families walked by the police officers, petted K-9 Officer Zuke, took pictures and various toys that were handed out, accepted the free coffee coupons given to them and spoke with the officers in a settling that created room for general dialogue and discussion.
“It makes me feel like [Anthony is] safe when he sees them in this environment rather than always on the street,” said Michele Tartamosa of her son. “So it makes me feel happy that he’s comfortable and happy.”
At the event, both officers and residents were all smiles and shared a few laughs discussing the safety of Mantua Township (which was ranked no. 38 in the state in regard to safety by SafeWise), their daily life events and jumped into the township’s police car to test a few of the controls.
“I love these kinds of events because it’s something more positive than some of the other dealings we have with the residents,” said Lt. Shaun Butler. “A lot of times, we’re dealing with people at their worst moments, when they’re a victim of a crime or they’re a suspect or anything like that. These events, it’s just all positivity.”
Previously, the police department had another community event at Mi Familia. The department, Butler said, tries to do an event as often as possible. The next community event is the K-9 Classic Wiffle Ball tournament at Total Turf on Nov. 3.
Despite the slight disappointment of the horse from the State Police Mounted Unit being injured and unable to come, according to Chief Darren White, families were still flocking to the tables to gaze at a helmet, baton and shield the officers use.
For Wawa employee Tom Simmons, these types of events are special to them because it allows them to bond with everyone who utilizes the popular gas station in a cohesive way.
“We love the partnership that we have with our police department,” said Simmons. “Anything that we can do to support the police and our local community is a wonderful thing.”
Pastor Leslie J. Colon is a fan of the events, and he said how the police officers we see are regular people under the uniforms, which he tries to teach to his young daughter.
“Not every police officer is the same because they’re people,” said Colon. “They have their families and don’t know if they’re going to get home that night. We also see on the other side that there are some who wear the uniform, but may not honor it. That sometimes stands out.”
Colon added when people are interacting with officers, it doesn’t help to be overly negative or positive toward them, but to speak with them with an open mind, willing to learn more about who they are.
“They are great police officers — I’m a pastor, so I’m not going to say that they’re not because they are,” said Colon. “If there’s one that’s not acting properly, I’m going to let them know as well.”
Colon added he respects what they do and their profession overall and that “regardless of their faith, race, or financial status — they’re people.”
For Matthew Erickson, he urges other people to come out to events the police put on and to introduce themselves to their local officers.
“Don’t be shy and come and meet them,” said Erickson. “Get to know your local law enforcement.”
“We’re all just normal people underneath,” said Butler. “You just come talk to us and we’re here to help.”
