GREENVILLE – The Greenville Police Department held its first Donuts with Cops in what may become more Donuts with Cops.
“When Chief Benge took over three months ago, he brought to City Council about getting involved with community policing,” said Greenville council member Chris Norris. “He wanted to get back to where we had an outreach program, go back into the public, and interact with the public.”
The Saturday event drew a nice crowd to A&B Coffee, including many children from the community.
“My focus is here in Greenville, and I know nationally there is always going to be that image, but being with kids and finding better ways to serve the community is the policing we want,” said Chief Ryan Benge. “When you think of policing, this is what it is.”
“If we can build bridges and relationships with the community, it will go a long way,” Benge continued. “My whole philosophy – I created the community outreach team with my administration. Mary Fox and Ryan Borowske are going to be on that team. We’re going to be at events like this to build that bridge. We want the community to be a part of us because we are all community members, and we want what is best for Greenville just as much as everyone else does.”
Officer Ryan Borowske is the School Resource Officer for Greenville Middle School at the K-8 building.
“My number one job is building security, and then obviously, we want to have a good rapport with the school system,” said Borowski. “I am there for any emergencies, but basically, it is to build a rapport with the kids and break that bridge of the police are just out harassing people. We’re trying to make the community safer, engage with the kids to be role models, and ensure they are doing the right things.”
Greenville Police Department canine handler Officer Aaron Hall had Atz, his German Wirehaired Pointer, at the Saturday morning event.
“It’s a very good turnout for all the kids out here,” Hall said. “Atz is a good dog, especially when getting out in the community. He’s more than just a drug sniffer. He is also good at community relations, and the kids love him. He has always been good with kids,”
The GPD’s Atz does tracking drugs, felony drugs, narcotics, article searches, and evidence collections.
“We get feedback from people on how we can better serve the community, what they want including constructive criticism but positive feedback as well,” Chief Benge said. “The officers need to hear that, and it helps attract officers to Greenville.”
“You always hear the negative things; you never hear positive things,” Benge added. “If you turn on the news, you’re not going to hear the great things the police are doing; you’re only going to hear the negatives.”
Chief Benge looks forward to a good working relationship with the citizens of Greenville.
“This is what we do; this is what I want our police department to be,” he concluded.
