Kajin M̧ajeļ: https://aejemjem.com/blue-line-eo-an-springdale
Monitor Elementary School is one of the schools where Marshallese police officer Robert Aini worked, directing traffic, interacting with the school community, often providing much needed translation between families and the school. Though school buildings were shut down, students still turned in homework weekly and picked up meals at school buildings. Officer continued to provide security for the school buildings, in addition to making house visits. Officer Aini would make sure the students are their families were staying safe and help with communication between the school and families. He said: “Teachers did virtual contacts with students, but not all kids had access to the internet so it was tough for some of them. Others had moved or changed phone numbers but did not inform the school.” Officer Aini was essential in helping the schools reconnect with their Marshallese students.
Springdale has responded to past demonstrations around the country for police reform by diversifying their department and focusing on community relationships. Active recruitment has increased the diversity and language skills of police officers to better serve the growing Marshallese and Hispanic populations in Springdale. The Springdale Police Department is approved for 149 officers and 210 total employees, of these there are 3 Marshallese police officers, Gomez Zackious, Lola Juj, and Robert Aini, and 1 Marshallese employee. They also employ 17 Hispanic police officers and 16 Hispanic employees. In March, the SPD posted videos in Marshallese and Spanish to their Facebook page. Officers Zackious and Lola Juj posted a video in Marshallese about COVID-19 on the SPD Facebook page. Officer Aini also encourages all “especially my fellow Marshallese that our battle with the coronavirus is going to be a long and painful one” and to continue social distancing.
Unfortunately, due to COVID19, this year’s May Day celebrations were cancelled. Officer Lt. Jeff Taylor recalled participating in past May Day and other events organized by ACOM including cooking events, car seat clinics and kid prints. Two of the Marshallese officers are certified to install car seats. Translation continues still continues to be a need but if you ever need to call the police there is an employee in the front office can take your report in Marshallese. Lt. Jeff Taylor also served on the census committee and referred to the care and difficulty in translating materials properly.
While it is possible that funds could be reallocated from the police to education and other community services, the one might not be replaced with the other. The SRO program in Springdale is one of the largest in the state of Arkansas. Paid for with federal COPS grant funding, there are 18 school resource officers in Springdale Public Schools. Not only do they patrol school campuses, investigate criminal activity, and direct traffic, they also teach classes in health and law subjects. They assist school personnel when situations benefit from law enforcement intervention. They also run the Springdale High School Law and Public Safety Academy three-year program which enrolls 60-65 students a year. In the summer, they run a two-week program for students who are there by court order or by parent or self-placement. There are about 40 participants per session (two sessions a summer). In past summers, when students came to eat lunch at the school cafeteria, you would usually see the SRO playing basketball with the kids.
The SRO program is just one example of how the police department works within the community to maintain public trust and ensure law and order through good citizenship, mentor relationships and education. The Springdale Police Department made a statement on June 3 that the police support and defend people’s constitutional rights to gather and demonstrate peacefully. However, it cautions that some violent and destructive demonstrators have taken advantage of the circumstances. Chief of Police Mike Peters reemphasized that: “Springdale Police Officers are compassionate and committed to providing fair and equitable safety and security for all members of our community. We appreciate your ongoing and critically important support during these difficult times.”
