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Neighbors thank staff at First Precinct with New Year’s treats

For the second year in a row, a group of neighbors from Union Hill ushered in the New Year by saying “thank you” to some of Richmond’s police officers and civilian staff at First Precinct with two deliveries of edible treats.

The neighbors provided enough food and drinks that all staff, whether coming or going at changes of shift, could dig in.

The two deliveries ensured there was enough for everyone, making it so that later personnel got hot pizza instead of cold leftovers.

Many of those who donated materially to this effort also donated their time; and were at the precinct to help deliver and set up the food and drinks, and then spend some time with each other and with the officers who work in our neighborhood.

“Our first delivery was a little past 5 p.m. and covered the change between day and evening shifts,” says Ann, “our second was just before midnight and covered the change between evening shift and those coming to work on the first day of 2016.”

“I was a Richmond cop in the ‘70’s and know first hand that being a police officer has gotten more difficult and more dangerous. It’s one thing to work in an environment such as an office where a co-worker expresses dislike with words or looks, usually in a passive manner. It’s something quite different to get into a car alone and immerse yourself in an environment where expressions of dislike are often a lot more than just passively expressed.”

“A lot of us in Union Hill appreciate the cops’ presence on a daily basis, especially in our neighborhood where crime is very low in large part due to the combined efforts of residents and cops working together. Putting cookies and pizza on the table for one day out of the year was a small way to express our appreciation.”

Thanks to Chuck and Mary, Elaine, Bill, Marian, Karen, Dave, Mike, Marc and Paige, Ann, and Nancy for this year’s effort.