Seeing a bunch of KCK police officers in front of your house might make some neighbors nervous, but on this day, the police presence is not only non-threatening, but it's also welcomed.
Every plank she lays and every hole she fills helps Kansas City, Kansas community police Officer Elaine Moore fight crime.
"It is proactive because we can find a problem before it becomes a huge issue," said Moore.
On Wednesday, she and others from community policing fixed up Geraldine White's house in Kansas City, Kansas. It was all part of Christmas in October. They were joined by 25 Amerigroup volunteers.
"I never could have afforded this on my own. I am grateful," said White.
And this is the kind of thing Moore does day in and day out.
"What I've done is I give them all my cellphone number, my desk number and my email. They can drop a line and say, 'Hey listen, the neighbor next door is the problem.' Maybe their loud music or they have drug activity or other criminal activities also," said Moore.
The idea is if Moore builds a rapport with neighbors like White, they'll trust her and when something goes down, she'll be the first to know.
"It makes you not afraid to talk to the police," said White. "Especially the ones you know. I know them and they know me and we can just conversate [sic]. It doesn't always have to be something bad. There are some good things that go on in the community along with the help of the police. All police are not bad."
25 volunteers joined @ChristmasInOct & Senator Haley today & did some remodeling projects, install smoke alarms 4 a #KansasCity #KS resident pic.twitter.com/U6iZXDs6iV
— Amerigroup (@Amerigroup) October 26, 2016
This, White said, is proof that police are working to turn their image around, at least in KCK.
"Community is it," said Moore. "It is truly it. We can't do anything by ourselves. We need the community support."
To prevent crime rather than simply responding to it.
There are 17 community cops in Kansas City, Kansas. Want to find the one who helps your neighborhood? Click here.
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
