HAMLET — In addition to recent enforcement efforts, the Hamlet Police Department is also trying to improve its relationship with the community.
Chief Tommy McMasters recently announced a new initiative, “birthed” by City Manager Jonathan Blanton, called “Bingo With the Thin Blue Line.”
McMasters said the idea came about since officers have “regular contact with our seniors housed in the Hamlet House and Richmond Pines retirement facilities.”
“Officers, with the assistance of our high school interns, will spend time with the seasoned members of (the community) periodically throughout the year, enjoying a night of Bingo and prizes while bridging the generational gap,” McMasters said in a press release.
He, Blanton and other members of the department will kick off the effort at 6 p.m. Tuesday (Oct. 15) evening at Hamlet House and will be at Richmond Pines Oct. 22.
“The Hamlet Police Department is proud to be a part of this endeavour and look forward to spending time with the knowledge and experience housed in these two great facilities so they understand that they are not forgotten,” McMasters said.
This past summer, the department — along with members of the Hamlet Fire Department and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, several council members and clergy — went door to door in several neighborhoods with information bags in an effort to rebuild the bridge between police and residents.
Other initiatives include an Adopt-A-Block program and community watch.
