BY ANNA GUIDO
Enquirer Contributor
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP -- A program launched last summer to improve relations between law enforcement and the public has prompted the Butler County Sheriff's Office to repeat the initiative this summer.
The "Taking it to the Streets" program helps build closer ties between the sheriff's office and the community by allowing deputies to set up shop in neighborhood streets, officials say.
"The purpose of the program is to get our officers out in the community to meet people and find out what their concerns are," said Sgt. Marian Olivas, crime prevention supervisor for the sheriff's office. "We want to break down the stereotype that a cop is in a cruiser and only comes out when you're hurt or in trouble."
This summer, deputies will be working from a mobile unit from 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays at various sites in the county.
"Taking it to the Streets" was done on a pilot basis last summer in Liberty Township, which has a contract with the sheriff's office for its police service.
"It was so successful in Liberty Township and such a great number of people turned out for it, that we decided we wanted to continue it not only in Liberty, but throughout Butler County," Sgt. Doug Crawford said.
"People are really enthusiastic about the equipment we have and the sheriff's office itself. It's kind of an eye-opener for a lot of people."
The program was tested in Liberty Township because that's where the sheriff's office has its largest contract police force, Sgt. Crawford said. Liberty entered into that contract with the sheriff in the early 1990s, and now has 10 full-time deputies. The deputies work from a police substation at the township administration building on Princeton Road.
The sheriff's office also has contracts with other townships. Townships are signing deals for police service through their sheriff's offices because it is more feasible than building a police force from the ground up.
