YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Sporting equipment creates new opportunity for Oneida police

Oneida, N.Y. — As a long-term goal, the Oneida City Police Department (OCPD) has been making strides to connect with the local youth. Thanks to a generous donation, the officers can now use sporting and other play tools to build that bond.

In her husband’s remembrance, Geraldine Meeker, the wife of the late former Oneida Police Chief David Meeker Sr., donated duffel bags filled with basketballs, footballs, kickballs, and sidewalk chalk to be kept in the officers’ patrol vehicles. When an opportunity presents itself, the officers will be equipped to offer a friendly engagement to young ones via play.

“Gerry Meeker had reached out and pitched this idea to me, and I said wow, that’s actually a great idea,” said Oneida City Police Chief John Little.

Though being a globe trotter isn’t part of law enforcements’ list of responsibilities, having access to these play tools will come in handy when the moment feels right and the officers have the time.

What’s extra special is that sports were a big part of Chief Meeker’s life, Little explained. Having this equipment donated in his honor just makes sense. “He loved all sports, almost as much as he cherished the youth,” the police department wrote on their Facebook page on July 30.

This latest progress to connect with Oneida’s kids coincides with one of the police de

partment’s overarching goals outlined in their police reform plan established in March 2021 in response to Governor Cuomo’s executive order.

One item enacted in the plan to “enhance the existing robust relationship between and the community” is a “commitment to task more resources towards community involvement and partnerships with the Oneida School District.” This goal requires constant commitment, the plan says.

Utilizing sports equipment is just the latest progress toward that goal. OCPD was recently involved in the city’s annual fishing derby event, this year titled “Cops ‘n’ Bobbers,” to establish a positive, helpful officer presence with the kids as they were fishing at Mount Hope Reservoir. This collaboration was a first, and the department was happy to be a part of it, Little said.

Additionally, through a partnership with Byrne Dairy, officers are continuing to recognize and reward “good citizen” youth behavior through tokens, as they have in previous years. Children ages 3-13 who receive a token for being caught being a good citizen —by wearing their bicycle helmet/safety pads, helping carry in groceries, helping with yard work, cleaning up in the community, etc.— can redeem it at any Byrne Dairy to receive a free small ice cream.

The OCPD posts about these positive community interactions and more on their Facebook page. A recent post shows Little and other officers quenching their summer thirst at a children’s lemonade stand.

ONEIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT Oneida City Police Department recently received a donation of duffel bags filled with sporting equipment to keep in their patrol cars to engage with local youth. July 2021.