Almost anywhere you go on campus, you see Campus Police or Campus Security cars. At times, it can be intimidating to have a police presence in residential areas but this year, Elon Campus Police wants to change their relationship with students.
That's why their newest goal is not just to enforce policy, but build trust as well. Through this goal, the Neighborhood Police Program was born, a new initiative designed for students to get to know the specific officers assigned to one of the four, first-year residential areas working either a day or night shift.
"It's more of a program to kind of bridge the gap between the students and the police officers" said Officer Joel Thomas, a member of the Elon Campus Police Force.
Officer Thomas is assigned to Smith, Carolina, Hook, Brannock and Barney Residence Halls during the day Monday through Friday. While he isn't stationed at those residence halls 24/7, he's already working on becoming a familiar face.
During his shifts, he will respond to all calls in that area and simply check in, so that students will get to know and trust him.
By walking through the Historic East area handing out flyers and explaining what the program is, Thomas and Campus Police hope to show students that they are there for them and can be a resource when needed.
So far, students seem to find the program helpful; Campus Police hopes it will change the view students have of police officers.