Michael Blass This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. The Advertiser-Tribune: Fostoria citizens begin learning about community policing - - The Advertiser-Tribune

   www.advertiser-tribune.com/new - [Cached]

   Published on: 4/30/2006   Last Visited: 5/1/2006

   Michael Blass, the director of law enforcement services for the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services, gave a presentation about community policing and the Communities Against Drugs program.
   
   He also broke the attendees into groups by ward to identify which neighborhood in each ward needed attention from police.
   
   Blass has trained about half the police department and is beginning to educate the community about the new program.
   ...
   Thursday evening's meeting was part of the CAD program, which began with a March 5 meeting at the high school, Blass said. There is to be informational ward meetings and neighborhood watch meetings in the future.
   
   The value of re-starting a block watch program is in having more eyes watching the community, he said. It also helps build relationships between citizens and police so the police can work toward solving the citizens concerns, he added.
   
   'I prefer to think about it as democracy,' Blass said.
   
   Block watch is founded on the principle that 'good people tell bad people what to do,' he said.
   
   Take the worst neighborhood, put enough good people there and the bad people will all go away, Blass said.
   
   The process takes time and work, and there is a burnout factor for people involved, he said.
   
   'It will not be a nice, clean process,' he added.
   
   In community policing, the philosophy allows police and the community to work together to solve problems, Blass said. People deserve input in the police process in exchange for their participation and support, he said.
   
   'There is a role for everyone to play,' he added. 'You have a responsibility to participate in whatever way you can. This is your community.'
   
   Community policing is about relationship building and problem solving, Blass said.
   
   'I'm a firm believer that if you get enough brains in the room you can solve any problem,' he said.
   
   The plan is to focus on offenders, victims and locations, Blass said. He noted that 10 percent of offenders commit 55 percent of offenses, 10 percent of victims represent 42 percent of the victimizations, and 10 percent of locations are where 60 percent of crimes take place.
   
   'A good solution will focus on all three eventually,' he added. 'It takes time. All three need some attention in your strategy.'
   ...
   statistics from Michael Blass, director of law enforcement services for the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services
   ...
   This is your community.' -- Michael Blass, director of law enforcement services for the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services

2. 2. March 15, 2002

   www.ccao.org/CIDS/news20020315 - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/15/2002   Last Visited: 5/11/2006

   For further information please contact Michael Blass, Director of Grants Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Services or call an OCJS field representative at 614-466-7782.
   
   ESC OFFICE SPACE PHASE OUT BEINGS SOON: COMMISSIONERS MUST TAKE ACTION BY MARCH 31