Brimfield Police Department Community Policing Programs

The Brimfield Police Department is very proactive in criminal enforcement and also offers a variety of community oriented programs for the residents of Brimfield.

Senior Check Program – Our department maintains contact with our senior residents. Currently over 450 seniors are enrolled in this program and we keep their emergency contact information for family members on file so they may be called in case of a problem. Each year our seniors are invited to a special breakfast event at the Applebee’s Restaurant, a luncheon at the Brimfield Fire Department and a Christmas breakfast at Beef O’Brady’s Restaurant. If you are a senior resident or know someone who is, and would like to be enrolled in this program, please call the department at 330-673-7716.

Vacation House Check Program – Are you going on vacation? Do you have to leave home for a few days or more for any reason? Call our department and request a vacation house check. We will check your residence as frequently as possible as our call volume permits. We check doors, windows and look for anything suspicious. Please call the department at 330-673-7716 to register.

Car Seat Safety Check Program - Brimfield Police offers free car seat safety checks by appointment. The certified car seat inspectors include Officer Russell Diehl and Administrative Assistant Patti Harjung.

Brimfield Reads Program – Officers read to the children who attend kindergarten at Brimfield Elementary School. This program helps young children to become acquainted with Police Officers and teaches them the importance of reading.

Brimfest Festival – The Brimfest Festival is a community event sponsored by the Brimfield Chamber of Commerce. Each year officers participate in this event by performing K-9 demonstrations, hosting events, and hosting an information table.

DARE Program – DARE is a community based program focusing on educating children and young people on the dangers of using drugs and engaging in violence. DARE has origins in the inter-city of Los Angeles, California and is now an international program. There are over 40,000 DARE officers in schools all over the world helping to educate young people. This is a fantastic resource which creates a partnership between police officers, teachers, parents, and students. Currently, Officer Russell Diehl is our DARE Officer.

DARE to Recycle Paper Program – The Brimfield Police Department partners with the AbitibiBowater Paper Retriever Company to recycle paper to raise funds for the Brimfield Police DARE Program. The DARE Program purchases classroom material for DARE classes, supports Safety School, Shop with a COP and other activities for children all year long. Two large recycling bins have been placed in the parking lot of the Brimfield Police Department at 1287 Tallmadge Road and one large recycling bin has been placed in the bus circle at the Brimfield Elementary School, 4170 State Route 43. Everyone is encouraged to bring newspapers, magazines, catalogs, phone books, general office paper, junk mail, bagged shredded paper and envelopes and place them in the container. (Items not permitted: Laminated paper, hard-bound textbooks, food containers, milk cartons, plastic, metal or glass.)

Shop with a COP Program – This program is a special event for children. Every year, in December, officers and volunteers take children to Wal-Mart for Christmas shopping. Each child is given $100.00 to purchase items for themselves and gifts for their family. In 2010, donations and fund raising efforts allowed us to take 103 children shopping. The children were also treated to breakfast at the Brimfield Applebee’s Restaurant.

Fill-A-Cruiser Program – Two or three times per year, the Brimfield Police Department parks a cruiser at Wal-Mart and Speedway and asks residents to fill them with non-perishable food, toys, or cash donations to assist needy Brimfield families. All proceeds are given to the Brimfield Community Food Cupboard for distribution.

Safety School Program – This program is designed for children entering kindergarten in the Field Local School District. Police Officers and Firefighters teach children safety lessons about street, bike, car and bus safety, 911 use, escaping fires, stranger danger, animal safety and more. The serious safety subject matter is taught through songs, games and crafts and by riding pedal powered vehicles through mock streets. At the conclusion of the week’s activities, parents and family members are invited to attend a graduation ceremony. The children give a performance and are recognized for their accomplishments. Refreshments are served following the ceremony. This is a two week program and 50 children can attend each week. The event is held at the Victory Baptist Temple on State Route 43 in Brimfield during the first two weeks of August.

K-9 Program – The Brimfield Police Department K-9 Unit includes members Sgt. David Knarr and K-9 Havoc, Sgt. Christopher Adkins and K-9 Joker and Officer Lee Allen and K-9 Drogen. The team is a member of the Buckeye Area Regional K-9 (B.A.R.K.) group and is state certified in areas of narcotic detection, tracking evidence, evidence recovery, criminal apprehension, handler protection, area building searches and obedience. The K-9 unit is active in the community and performs for audiences at many functions. The equipment for this program is purchased with private donations and with funds earned by the K-9 unit at fund raising events such as the Dine to Donate at Applebee’s restaurant and a “Dogs for Dogs” hot dog sale at the Brimfest Festival.

Community Forum – Chief David Oliver presents information about important topics for families during the Community Forum Program. Past topics include Internet Safety, Disaster Preparedness, Identity Theft, Meth Labs, and Drug Abuse.