Jackson police ensure safe holiday, build strong community

Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office:

"Trick or treating on Fort Jackson isn’t just a good time for families, it is also a time for on post law enforcement to get closer to those they serve.

Fort Jackson police officers and firefighters traditionally spend time in on post housing areas over Halloween to ensure everything goes as planned and everyone enjoys the night.

This year Detective Rachel Burke and Training Officer Tyler Corstange were in the housing areas watching legions of superheroes, cartoon families, and even a few ghouls and goblins go door-to-door for sugary treats. “We are out here in force to make sure the kids have a safe environment to enjoy the holiday,” Corstange said. There’s a “nice police presence for the kids and making sure everybody’s safe out here,” Burke added.

Building relationship with the community is a must for effective policing.

“It’s everything,” said Corstange, who dressed up as an X-Men superhero when he was young, “to build relationships with the community. If the community trusts us, we trust them … it helps us prevent crime before it happens.”

It helps build a safe community since they are always moving around, he added.

Little things like being out in the community during trick-or-treating is a way to build strong communities.

“So simply us just standing out here and showing, ‘Hey, we’re out here,’ you know, and giving out candies helps the kids trust us,” Corstange said. “Ultimately, you want the kids to run to you. So, building that trust between the public and the police department. Again, it’s a very important thing. It’s an effective way to actually have a safe place.”

Not only was law enforcement out patrolling and giving away candies, but when asked they would check the treats to make sure they were safe."