University Police Department lifting spirits during holiday season

Every year, the University Police Department (UPD) at Alfred State College does its part to make spirits a little brighter during the holiday season.

This year was no exception, as the department once again participated in several programs designed to spread some cheer and provide relief to the local community.

One of those programs was the No-Shave November initiative, which seeks to “grow awareness by embracing our hair, which many cancer patients lose, and letting it grow wild and free,” according to no-shave.org. The program requires participants to “donate the money you typically spend on shaving and grooming to educate about cancer prevention, save lives, and aid those fighting the battle.” Lt. Scott Bingham organized the program for the University Police Department at Alfred State.

University Police Chief Scott Richardson noted that he has extended the No Shave November initiative for his department through December.

“We had several people off in November who normally participate, so by extending it, we could raise more money,” he said.

So far, the University Police Department at Alfred State has raised $500 and counting, which will benefit Allegany County Cancer Services.

“With that month extension, the officer who raises the most money will be allowed to keep their beard through January,” Richardson said. “We might even let all that participated keep their beards until the end of semester break as a thank you for their efforts.”

In addition to this effort, Lt. Kris Bianchi partnered with the Office of Civic Engagement to collect monetary donations for the ACCORD Community Action Angels program, which helps community members during the holiday season. The department raised over $400 for this program, which will provide gift cards to children ages 11 to 18.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, Chief Richardson, Officer Jeremy Boorman, and Officer Joseph Histed joined forces with the Hornell and Canisteo Police Departments at the Hornell Walmart and participated in “Shop with a Cop.”

“The Shop with a Cop event has always been a special event for law enforcement,” Richardson said. “I was so glad that we were able to continue this tradition with the current pandemic. It allows parents and children to see police officers in a positive environment. The excitement of a child picking out presents for his or her family and the happiness it brings them is a memory that we never forget. Oftentimes when they go over their set amount, we chip in to make up the difference. It’s often because they wait to get themselves a gift until their family is taken care of.”

Additionally, Richardson, Dispatcher Craig Heller, and Lt. Matt Heller “rang the bell” outside Walmart on Dec. 16 for the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Drive.

“Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army is something that we participated in for the first time last year,” Richardson said. “We really enjoyed it, and I had one officer tell me that they wanted to make this a new yearly tradition. I think that any chance we get to shine a positive light on our agency and our profession is something that we do not take lightly. I’m very thankful that we have a department that embraces helping others and looks for opportunities to do so.”

Richardson noted that with all the uncertainty that has arisen during this pandemic, one of the things that has remained constant is the desire among his officers and dispatchers to participate in these efforts and come up with ways that they could give back to their community.

“There is one side of law enforcement that never changes, and that’s our commitment to helping people,” he said.