Poland first responders host 3rd Safety Forces Picnic

POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — First responders held their third annual Safety Forces Appreciation Picnic in Poland on Saturday.

Poland Township Police Chief Greg Wilson said the event builds relationships with the community they serve.

“In law enforcement, having those relationships with your community — that’s paramount,” Wilson said.

Earlier at the Poland Township Park, community members were invited for food and fun with local agencies, including the Poland Township Police and Fire Departments, the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol.

“It’s a really great opportunity for our residents to come out and meet our officers, also learn about local services that we have available to them in the area,” Wilson said.

At the picnic, community members also got a look at some of the technology officers use. The newest tool the Poland Township officers have is body cameras.

“We were able to get those through a grant through the state of Ohio. So, each officer now carries a body cam on them while they’re working,” Wilson said.

The department implemented the body cameras just a few weeks ago. Wilson said it will help with transparency and trust in the department.

“Whatever we do out there on the streets, it’s captured on body cam — and we’re able to see it, the community is able to see it — unless it has to be redacted for some reason,” Wilson said.

The picnic comes days before National Night Out on Tuesday, a nationwide campaign that promotes police-community partnership.

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