Last Saturday the Oxford Police Department held an open house that members of the Oxford community were welcome to attend. Oxford Chief of Police, Joey East, said the open house was an opportunity to re-introduce the department to the public.
“We’re re-introducing ourselves to the public, and part of that effort is an open house we’re hosting here at the station on Molly Barr (open house was held last Saturday October 5) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m,” explained Chief East. “I want our department to be even more community-involved, more accessible, more comfortable at interpersonal communication. We’re not just here to arrest people or give them a ticket. Our mission is to talk to people on the streets and in their neighborhood. Our officers take community policing seriously — we’re all about getting out there in our uniforms to gain the public trust. I want the citizens of Oxford to see our department as approachable, not scary.”
The direct-talking East adds that an approachable police force isn’t just good public relations — it’s solid law enforcement. “We’ve noted a spike in our neighborhood watch programs and our crime tips,” he said. “Here’s the bottom line — the community solves crime more than cops.”
Below are some pictures from the event:
