After canceling most events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sachse Police Department is finding a way to say “yes” to community engagement in 2021.

Police Chief Bryan Sylves­ter said the “say yes” attitude encapsulates the overall phi­losophy of how the depart­ment will begin engagement again.

Even though the depart­ment did find opportunities during 2020, such as the Hal­loween candy chute, Sylves­ter said the outreach wasn’t as robust as they are used to nor what they desire it to be. He said the department is looking at ways to reimagine the com­munity outreach program­ming to stay connected and provide resources, activities and services beyond crime control, which is an essential part of the Sachse Police De­partment.

“I think the overall phi­losophy that we have been talking here with the staff and city management and council is that we want to find a way to say ‘yes’ to some of the things we had to say no to last year,” Sylvester said.

One outreach program can­celed in 2020 was Cops and Campers, a week-long youth outreach summer camp run by School Resource Officers, volunteers and select high school students.

For the full story, see our Mar. 11 issue or subscribe online.

By Dustin Butler • [email protected]