One thing that is important for any police department is their relationship with the community they serve.

Stuart Police Sergeant Katie Guisinger says that thanks to help from her fellow officers, Stuart Police Department Community Programs has been greatly successful in bringing them and the community together. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that thanks to the summer programs, and her time spent as the West Central Valley School Resource Officer, there aren’t many places in town that she goes unrecognized.

“It’s often joked I can’t go down the street without somebody yelling, ‘Sergeant Katie!’ But all the parents have been really receptive and supportive of the programs. They’re glad that they have a safe outlet and a safe activity for their kids. But I also have, you know, expanded where I’ve had kids from AC/GC, Panorama, Nodaway Valley, Homeschooling. I don’t turn away any kids for these programs, so if someone wants to come and we’ve got room, you know, get on the bus.”

Guisinger mentions that moving forward, what she would like to do is expand and enhance the programs that she and the department do with the community. She adds that that expansion or enhancement can come in any shape, whether it be adding new programs, or being able to bring more people for the ones they already have.