City of Hamilton, Ohio - Police Department's Public Affairs Section

The Public Affairs Section is staffed by one Sergeant, two Public Affairs Officers, one Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officer, one Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) Officer, one full-time and one part-time School Resource Officer.

During the year, the School Resource Officer conducts programs in classrooms for kindergarten through sixth grades. The various programs consist of Pedestrian Safety training, Halloween Safety, Kids & Company Program, Safety Town, Gun Safety, the Third Grade Seat Belt program,
and the Bicycle and Helmet Safety programs.

The DARE program, which targets kindergarten through sixth grade, is continuing to produce results. The kindergarten through fourth grade program is four weeks in duration. The fifth grade program is seventeen weeks, and ends with an essay contest. During the commencement exercise, each fifth grade graduate receives a DARE t-shirt and a certificate of completion.

The Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) program has also been very effective. It educates teens on the dangers of being involved in gangs and provides them with alternatives. The program targets seventh grade students and is 14 weeks long. Each seventh grade participant is required to complete their workbook and to complete a community service project. Upon completion of the program, each graduate is awarded a GREAT t-shirt and a certificate of completion.

The Neighborhood/Business Watch program continued throughout the community. Most of the meetings were held in churches, schools, private homes and at the Hamilton Police Department. Members expressed their concerns about traffic problems, drug activity, youth problems and the condition of some properties in their neighborhoods.

The section purchased a new digital photo identification software and equipment to enhance
security and safety within the building. This will also improve our child identification program. The identification cards will be issued to all officers, replacing both their current issued identification card and building access card. This will provide a two-fold purpose of identification and security.

HPD Public Affairs Section

The Public Affairs Section is committed to providing empathetic customer service to the citizens of the City of Hamilton, which reflects our Mission and Values statement.

The Public Affairs officers attend various meetings throughout the year, and serve on several committees. Also, the Public Affairs officers are in good standing with the Open Door Food Pantry, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, Greater Hamilton Safety Council, Small Business Council,
Accent Hamilton, Ohio Crime Prevention Association, International Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Association, International Association of Crime Analysts, National Officers Information Association, Safe Kids Coalition, and numerous other committees.

The Public Affairs Section can be contacted at:

331 South Front Street
Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Phone (513)868-5811 x1156

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