172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 16

Stronger Together
Out of every setback in life, something positive emerges
By: Nick Borges
Deputy Chief – Seaside Police Department
The City of Seaside has a population of about 34,000 people. Seaside is a small community that at one time inherited
a reputation for being a dangerous town impacted by gang violence and drug addiction. The Seaside Police Department
has worked tirelessly over the years to strengthen our relationship with the community and the results have paid off. Like
most of America, in mid-March, what we all knew as normal would forever change.
Once the shelter-in-place order was implemented in Monterey
County and social distancing guidelines were implemented, it was
clear our community engagement efforts would no longer be carried
out as they once were. To add to the dilemma, the Seaside Police Department,
like most California police agencies, issued police response
guidelines that minimized contact with the public for non-urgent
service calls.
The Seaside community was not immune to the tension, fear and
panic that most communities around the country were experiencing,
and in many cases, are still feeling. One of the first steps taken was
to reach out to our community and let them know we are still here
and we will do everything we can to keep them safe. That was accomplished
through social media outlets. Social media has become
one of law enforcements greatest communication tools, but during
a pandemic, it has brought clarity and comfort to those wanting to
know what is going on in their surrounding communities.
Social media continues to be a leading platform for Seaside to communicate,
educate and comfort the community.
Seaside Police did not stop there. The men and women of the department
are innovative, compassionate and willing to go the extra-mile.
One of the first necessities identified in the Seaside community is
a food source. So many members of the Seaside community lost
their jobs and everyday meals have become a significant challenge
for many.
16 CALIFORNIA POLICE CHIEF | www.californiapolicechiefs.org