PCAB Blogpost: Gwendolyn Evans

Sadly, I’ve been uninformed and disconnected from our Essex Town Community goings on, in spite of having lived here for 30 years. During the last 2 years, I sought out volunteer opportunities within our area.  I was appointed to the newly formed Police Community Advisory Board in August of 2023.  I applied for this volunteer position, not really knowing what I was getting into.  I have some time to give and this seemed like a good place to put my energy.  

I’m now learning so much about what is going on within our community.  It’s been important to become more educated about our Essex Police Department, their policies, procedures and the challenges they face.  I’m gaining some understanding of the pressures EPD faces to comply with state and Federal rules, as they address the various crimes that arise.  I also have a sense of the more prevalent crimes that are occurring in our community.

This education has expanded my perspective to recognize that these issues are much more complicated than we ever hear about in the news media.  I’m impressed by our Board’s ability to listen to each other, and to invite more comments from Police representatives and community members.  This has strengthened my belief that organizations like our EPD cannot fix all of our challenges alone.  We as community citizens must get involved too.

Our board is made up of diverse citizens from the Town and City of Essex, Chief Hoague and Anthony Jackson Miller, Community Affairs and Public Information Officer, also sit with our board as well as advisors from Essex Best.  We have been charged with the mission to support and advise the EPD and our community.  I think of our role as a bridge between community and the EPD.  Our meetings are open to the public and we would like to have the public attend to share stories, concerns and questions regarding policing and safety in our city and town.