Our speaker was Irondequoit Police Officer Kylee Nichols. She is a graduate of Irondequoit High School and is a 5 year veteran of the Irondequoit police force. Officer Nichols manages the Community Services Department as Chief Tantalo once did. Several members (who will go unnamed for fear of reprisal) mentioned that the department appears to be run better now than in the past... There are many programs that the Community Services Department oversees. "Shop With A Cop" program was very successful this year as it had 29 K-5 grade Irondequoit students shop at Target with a "Police Escort". The schools provides lists of good students in need. The number selected depends on funds raised as each student gets to spend $100 on gifts just before Christmas. The students buy more than toys for themselves as many purchased books and gifts for siblings. The Activity Book program was also very popular. Our club was the sponsor of this and our Irondequoit Rotary Club logo was prominently displayed on the front cover. These are handed out at various events and help bridge a relationship between kids and the police. Another program is the Drug Drop Off box which is important in getting unused prescription drugs off the street. Many of those addicted to heroin start with prescription drugs. All drugs dropped off are handled by the police in an anonymous manner and all get incinerated. The box is always at the Police station but there is an annual Drug Drop Off day as well. The House Check Program has police watch over your home when you are out of town. Come to police department to fill in a form that is available online. They are creating a safety checklist for people to think about when leaving the house for an extended time. Seniors, schools and everything in between is covered by her department. The department no longer has DARE program but they do drug and alcohol awareness programs in the school. Goal is to prevent kids from starting to use drugs. Officer Nichols is able to give students the reality of what drugs can do to you. The department also does mock DWI reality check program along with Harris funeral home right before prom season. Coming up is Winterfest and the department will be there to share crime prevention information. This year at Winterfest, there is a coat and boot drive for Angels of Mercy. Winterfest is this Saturday, January 27th from 11am-3pm. Also upcoming is a Charity basketball game at 6:30PM on Saturday, February 3rd vs Eastridge Teachers and proceeds go to Irondequoit Food Cupboard. Autism Awareness is a training program by IPD. It provides tips when encountering someone on the autism spectrum. Decals are being handed out to put on car windows for a cue for officers to know an autistic person may be in the car. Autism Awareness day is coming up. It is a sensory sensitive event to get to know police and firemen. Race issues are addressed at a Church task force to make people aware of race problems and how to deal with them. National Night Out is on again for next year and is their biggest event of the year. Lots of organizations attend to share safety knowledge. March 19th at 5pm is a Drug awareness panel at West Irondequoit High School. The number of events managed by the IPD Community Services Department is very impressive. Volunteers are always needed. If interested, contact Officer Nichols at knichols@irondequoit.org or (585)336-6000 x 2290. |