172536_CPCA_2020_Spring Magazine - Final | Page 24

Together We Are Strong
By: Frank Giaime
Lieutenant – Chula Vista Police Department
Just like many jurisdictions throughout the country, COVID-19 blindsided our communities, changing
life as we know it. This invisible enemy we are all fighting brought about new challenges and concerns as
to how we operate as an organization and how we police our communities. These challenges have not only
given us new concerns for police departments to consider, but they have also opened the door to opportunities
to rally the community in support of one another.
First responders who worked during the time of 9/11, the California
wildfires, and other sustained emergency situations have
experienced the outpouring of support from the community.
Again, the community has come together to help. Fairly early on in
this crisis, Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) had transitioned
to emergency staffing. As restrictions increased and things became
categorized into essential and non-essential assignments, there was
a credible concern among our staff for their own safety. We were
dealing with this disease which seemed to be everywhere but knew
very little about. The apprehension was not just at work, but a natural
concern for our families and how our daily lives were changing.
The community was dealing with the same worries but recognized
first responders who were putting themselves at risk when the stay at
home orders were issued. They realized that our first responders had
limited time to go to the store and get the essentials. The community
identified the need and created a sustained food pantry stocked with
items from snacks, drinks, meals, and other comfort items. Several
times a week these items are being replenished, along with meals
being provided by local food establishments as a gesture to say thank
you and acknowledging the work of the police department staff.
In early April, news stories were circulating about limited supplies of
personal protective equipment for hospital staff and first responders.
The community again answered the call. They delivered handsewn
face coverings, provided hand sanitizers from a local distillery, and
donated other PPE to keep our first responders safe. These donated
items enabled our officers to safely continue to do their jobs. In the
first week of May, we were fortunate to be the recipients of care bags
donated by Operation Gratitude. The kindness and generosity from
our community has been tremendous.
As we settled into our new norm, it was clear another opportunity
presented itself. It was our time to pay it forward. As the weeks went
on, vacations, ballgames, and birthday parties were all cancelled. We
wanted to bring a little joy back into the lives of families and kids
in our community. CVPD was able to accomplish this by birthday
“drive-bys” and phone calls. Motor officers drove past the families
and personally wished them a happy birthday.
Our officers went the extra mile in helping senior citizens. Our
dispatch center received a call from a 90-year-old woman who could
not reach her caretaker for days and called the police for help. She
asked if an officer could go to the store and buy some over the
counter medicine that she needed, since she was not able to leave her
home. She planned on paying the officer when he arrived with the
medicine. The dispatcher texted a patrol officer in the field and asked
if he could help with this unusual request. The officer went to the
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