May 15, 2004 – Christmas came early to the St. Croix Community Oriented Policing (COP) program this week, with the delivery of two desktop computers, a laptop, a printer and computer accessories valued together at more than $6,800.
And Santa arrived – appropriately, during Police Week – in the guise of an Economic Development Program beneficiary that wishes to remain anonymous.
St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Herminio Velazquez and Zone C Commander Reynaldo Guadalupe received the computer equipment at a presentation ceremony on Friday. The electronic gear will be utilized by the COP program to help build a police presence in housing communities and to strengthen ties between the Police Department and the public, authorities said.
The local COP program is a part of the national COPS — Community Oriented Policing Services — initiative of the U.S Justice Department. According to its Web site, the program integrates traditional law enforcement, crime prevention, problem solving, community engagement and partnerships. COPS programs seek to balance reactive responses to calls for service with proactive problem solving that centers on the causes of crime and disorder.
Sen. Luther F. Renee served as a liaison between the company and the Police Department in coordinating the presentation of the computer gear. "As a promoter for combating crime and also for action and not just talk, I feel a sense of pride accomplishing both today," he said following the ceremony.
According to Renee, another four computers and another copier with a total value of $12,000 will be donated later.
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