feature story / 23 Detective Steven Gy- imoty and officers Matthew Jones and Chian Weekes-Rivera. In the past, patrol officers were already doing a form of com- munity policing but it was difficult to get to know people if they had one ear to the po- lice radio while trying to hold a conversation. And it was likely that they could get pulled from their community work to attend to other pressing needs. By con- trast, notes Palmer- ezzi, “Now this unit is strictly dedicated. This is what builds the trust with the community.” To run an effective bureau, Sally consulted with the lieutenant in the Montclair Police Department who has been leading a similar operation for many years and has figured out what efforts contribute to a successful pro- gram. Gyimoty explains, “Our unit took Montclair’s policing model and replicated it. Bloomfield has helped a lot, too. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up the phone to ask them [Montclair] questions.” Palmerezzi has assigned members of the group to be responsible for dif- ferent zones. Currently, they are meet- ing with business owners to introduce themselves, secure emergency con- tacts to update their system, and ad- dress concerns. He comments, “What makes it easier is once the officers start passing their cards out, the own- L-R: Detective Sergeant Michael Palmerezzi leads the community service bureau headed up by Deputy Chief Al- bert Sally. They're sporting new shirts the unit members wear. Starbucks welcomed members of the newly formed Maplewood community service bureau for their first Coffee with a Cop: Far left, Officer Steve Gyimoty, 4th from left, Detective Sergeant Michael Palmerezzi, 2nd from right, Officer Matthew Jones, far right, Officer Chian Weekes-Rivera. OPEN HOUSE Friday, October 26 RSVP 973.379.3442 or farbrook.org THE POWER OF AN INSPIRED EDUCATION CO-ED n NURSERY THROUGH GRADE 8 n SHORT HILLS, NJ P R O G R E S S I V E E D U C A T I O N S I N C E 1 9 4 8