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Ashland, OR – April 9th, 2019  A new community survey was released today by the Ashland Police Department (APD).  In partnership with the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission and BetaGov, the brief, 10-item survey does not collect identifying information so that responses can be honest and accurate.

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Said Chief Tighe O’Meara, “The APD has long recognized that public safety is enhanced through strengthening relationships and engaging all members of the community.  By issuing this survey and collecting the feedback, we can work even more closely with the community to ensure that our community is safe.”

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Dr. Maureen Hillhouse, West Coast Director of BetaGov, the public policy Institute of New York University, commented,  “We look forward to conducting this research and surveying perspectives from Ashland community members.”

 

“As an evolving City of Peace, this survey can shed helpful light on Chief O’Meara’s focus on improved community relationships. This is an important component of the broader Culture of Peace desired in Ashland” stated David Wick, Executive Director, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission.

 

All members of the community are encouraged to participate in this survey, which can be found on the department’s webpage, as well as at the website ashlandpd.com. Hard copies of the survey can also be picked up and turned in at the police department located at 1155 E. Main Street.

 

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The Ashland Police Department (APD) in conjunction with the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission (ACPC) introduced patrol vehicles with an updated design which include the wording “PEACE OFFICER” for its entire fleet.

 

Mayor John Stromberg, Police Chief Tighe O’Meara and ACPC Executive Director David Wick unveiled the specially-designed police vehicles on May 8, 2019 at the Ashland Police Department.

 

Chief O’Meara and the entire APD team have been working toward developing stronger community partnerships and view this as another move forward in those attempts.   

 

ACPC Executive Director David Wick said, “This action by Chief O'Meara and the Ashland Police Department is an important step in Ashland's evolution as a City of Peace and embodies direct support for a Culture of Peace. This is also a step of leadership and pride as the APD is the first police department in Oregon to be designated as Peace Officers in this way."  

 

Going forward all of APD’s marked patrol vehicles will have the words “PEACE OFFICER” affixed to them in addition to the current decals. It is the department’s hope, as well as ACPC’s that the additional decals will further demonstrate to the community that Ashland police officers are here not just to enforce laws, but to partner with all members of the community and to build lasting relationships and enhance safety for all.

 

Research to evaluate the impact of this initiative on the police and community is conducted by an independent research collaboration of New York University (NYU) and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) called BetaGov. BetaGov is an interdisciplinary research team which provides rapid-cycle innovation and testing support to government agencies at no cost.  

 

The change was inspired and funded by Police2Peace, a national charitable initiative to improve public trust in communities across the country. Police2Peace supports programs to add decals to the existing markings on public safety vehicles which read “PEACE OFFICER”.     

 

This designation has been welcomed by members of the Ashland community and members of the Ashland Police Department alike.

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