Stepping Out Of The Cruiser

NPD adds community liaison. Ryan Dornbos named to position
 
On Monday January 8th the Newaygo Police Department began to sport a different look when the position of Crime Prevention/Neighborhood Revitalization /Community Relations Coordinator was unveiled.With support from the Newaygo business district, the city and the local TIFA Committee the position was created to provide a point of access for community concerns, initiatives and other needs.
Officer Ryan Dornbos a veteran of the department was chosen to take the reins of this new NPD entity with a home base in the city offices.
N3 caught up with an already busy  Officer Dornbos, who has long been active in the local football program as well, and posed a few questions.
 
What does it mean to you to be offered this position? How do you see your role in the community?
Since coming to Newaygo four years ago, I have seen, first hand, how close this community is to both their police department and to each other. Getting involved with the football program right away allowed me to "step out of the cruiser" and get to know this community right from the start. While I have always been a sort of community officer here, secondary to working the road, this new role will allow me to commit, full time, to serving Newaygo. I see this position as not only a liaison between the police department and the community, but a tool to be used directly with the community in coming up with new ideas to keep us all safe and secure.
 
There are many county groups focused on coordinating and delivering services to the public. What groups will you be involved with?
Am I allowed to say "all of them"? I plan on attending every meeting and getting on every board I can that will serve the city of Newaygo citizens which assists in revitalizing the city and its initiatives. I am only a week into this new position and I have already attended several meetings with Chief Andres. Chief Andres' plan is to put me in charge of all attendance of community focused groups, so that she can focus on government focused initiatives. From those working with NCRESA, to the different action groups in Headway -drug coalition, to mental health, I plan on becoming active with as many as I possibly can. I feel we, as police officers, need to work hand in hand with any group that is trying to better our community in some way. These initiatives are vital in solving and ridding our community of crime and making our citizens feels safe, which allows for economic growth in our area.

What initiatives would you like to see undertaken in the community?
I think their are many great initiatives in Newaygo, but believe the biggest focus for Newaygo Police Department is to further progress mentorship programs in the area. There are many children in our communities and our schools that would directly benefit from having a stable person in their life to assist them, or just be there for them. I feel that a strong mentorship program in our City and across our County, would not only help in the education world, but would help lower issues faced by police and the community across the board. I'm talking about lack of entry level employees for our retail and restaurants to issues with drug use, theft, and other crimes. I believe a good/solid mentor would help more children and young adults get on a better path of service and contribute to our society . I am well aware that a shortage of mentors has been expressed in our community, but I believe it's not a mentor shortage its an unknown need to our community members that if expressed; mentors will come to light. There are others, but for sure this is my biggest passion, supported by our City officials.

Last one. We also know you as a football coach. Who will plays in the Super Bowl and who is going to win?
Well, unfortunately it will probably be another decade or so until we see my Detroit Lions playing in the big game, and yes I still believe it will happen someday. So, even though I root against them twice a year, by heart is with Newaygo's own Joe Berger and the Minnesota Vikings. I think they will be playing another "Michigan Man" in Tom Brady and the Patriots, but I think the purple people eaters will pull out the victory in the end!
 Officer Dornbos can be reached at 231.652.1655 (231.652.1657). Email messages can be sent to Officer Dornbos at [email protected]