School Resource Officer Program Highlighted at Police First Thursday Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2019

ST. HELENS, OR – Do you know who the St. Helens school resource officers are? Do you have questions about how local law enforcement partners with the St. Helens School District to provide a safe learning environment for students?

The St. Helens Police Department will discuss its school resource officer program at the Police Department’s next First Thursday community meeting. The meeting is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, in the Columbia Center auditorium, 375 S. 18th Street.

School Resource Officers Howell and Gaston will give an informative presentation about their roles in the St. Helens School District schools. Officer Howell serves as the school resource officer for the St. Helens High School, McBride Elementary School, and Columbia City Elementary School. Officer Gaston serves as the school resource officer for the St. Helens Middle School, Plymouth High School, and Lewis and Clark Elementary School.

Our officers are a resource for students, parents, teachers, and administration regarding law enforcement related issues. While there is an expectation of enforcement by the school resource officer, it takes only a portion of the officer's time. When they aren’t responding to enforcement issues, the officers focus on crime prevention and building relationships with students and staff.

On any given day you might find one of our school resource officers giving presentations in a classroom or meeting and talking to students in the hallways. You might also find them at athletic events and school lunches. Working hand-in-hand with the principal in each school, our school resource officers work hard to find solutions to problems affecting today’s school-age children.

After their presentation on October 3, community attendees will have an opportunity to ask Officers Howell and Gaston questions and talk with them one-on-one.

First Thursday is a monthly community meeting with the St. Helens Police Department held on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. A new topic is presented at each meeting related to community safety, crime prevention, police services, or seasonal-specific safety information. After a brief presentation, participants have the opportunity to ask St. Helens officers questions, find out what’s happening in St. Helens neighborhoods, and discuss any topics of concern with fellow community members and police.

The goal of First Thursday is to bring the St. Helens community and local law enforcement together once a month for meaningful conversation about the community. The meetings are an opportunity to make connections in the community, not just between police officers and residents, but also between neighbors.

The vision of the St. Helens Police Department is to provide professional police services that will secure public trust and keep our neighborhoods safe and free of crime. Our mission is to work with all citizens to make our city a place where people live safely and to promote individual responsibility and community commitment. 

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For further information regarding the St. Helens Police Department’s First Thursday program, please contact Communications Officer Crystal Farnsworth at crystalf@ci.st-helens.or.us or 503-366-8215.