Sheldon Park event aims to build positive relationship between residents, police

Something as simple as letting children check out a police car and blare the vehicle’s sirens can make a lasting impact, according to Allegheny County Housing Authority Police Chief Mike Vogel.

As a flurry of children at Harrison’s Sheldon Park interacted with township and housing authority officers Thursday, Vogel said those interactions and relationships will continue to be built.

“If you reach out at a younger age, they’re going to look up to us,” Vogel said. “We want them to run to us, not away from us.”

In response to a nonfatal shooting June 17 at the complex, housing authority police announced intentions to increase foot patrols and walking the beat at Sheldon Park at least three times a week.

That kicked off Thursday.

“That impression they get of us coming up and into the community, we’re going to change the mindset,” Vogel said. “I think the patrols will be well received.”

The housing authority has an 11-officer department. Vogel said he will rearrange officers’ shifts so they have opportunities to patrol Sheldon Park and develop relationships with residents there.

“I want all the officers to have a good relationship with the residents,” he said.

Housing authority police cover 43 sites in Allegheny County. Vogel said Sheldon Park is a “model community.”

“It’s a pleasure to come out and network with everybody,” he said.

Building the relationships between officers and youths can encourage them to look up to role models, do well in school and other activities, and consider future job opportunities, Vogel said.

“Something this simple may inspire one of them to become a police officer,” he said.

The patrol kickoff coincided with a cancer awareness event outside the Lloyd D. Hayden Center, which raised about $2,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Activities included raffles, games and bounce houses.

“Every community has problems, but this is a good community,” said Sydney Hayden, president of the Sheldon Park Residents’ Council.

“This is a nice turnout. This is what we want to see.”

She said the increased patrols can build relationships and trust in the community.

“I think it’s a good thing,” she said. “Them coming out and doing the walking patrols, it’s good for the community. They’ll know what the concerns and needs are.”

Brian Turack, Harrison’s police chief, said his department has a great working relationship with the housing authority police.

“It’s good to see (housing authority police) up here,” Turack said. “With our police station nearby, we can come here often. We have a good relationship with the people that live in this community.”

As part of that community-building, Harrison officers are interacting with residents in Sheldon Park regularly, including giving stickers or freeze pops to children, he said.

“It helps we have a lot of hometown officers,” Turack said. “They’re committed to the residents in this community.”

Ruth Ann Kilgore, 85, who lives in the nearby Harrison Hi-Rise, said events like Thursday’s are beneficial. It’s also a good way to meet and interact with others, including officers, she said.

“They’ve got some new officers, and I don’t know them all,” she said.