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	The Ypsilanti Courier A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Police Dept. granted $15,000

MetLife award recognizes local partnerships

By Christine Laughren, Staff Writer

PUBLISHED: October 16, 2008

The Friends of the Ypsilanti Police and the Ypsilanti Police Department won second place for the MetLife Neighborhood Revitalization Award for $15,000.

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"The award is very special to me because it is national recognition of all of the hard work and dedication by so many people that live and work in the City of Ypsilanti..." Police Chief Matthew Harshberger told Ypsilanti City Council on Oct. 7.

According to the organization's Web site, the award is given through the MetLife Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, "in recognition of sustainable and shared work of innovative partnerships between community groups and police to promote neighborhood safety and revitalization."

Harshberger said the award was given because many community groups have remained steadfast with the commitment to adhere to the fundamental principles of community policing.

"The result is a strong partnership that is continuing to improve the overall quality of life in the city of Ypsilanti," Harshberger said.

The transition to community policing took place in 1999 when the Community Policing Action Council or CoPAC was created to assist with facilitating the police department's efforts at building community partnerships.

Harshberger said CoPAC has been influential in gaining community support and providing the guidance necessary to guarantee successful implementation of community policing citywide.

The Police Chief credits several initiatives to the reduction in crime and disorder since CoPAC was created.

"The initiatives involved a strategy to secure and revitalize distressed areas, or properties, in the community," he said

The department does not know how it is going to spend the money yet, but Harshberger said he is looking into purchasing software to issue tickets electronically, a speed trailer or a portable survaliance camera.

The first place, $25,000 award was given for the partnership between Greater Elmwood Neighborhood Services and the Providence Police Department in Providence R.I.