By Stacee Sledge

As I walk up to Franklin Park to visit with Officer Eric Osterkamp and folks attending the York Neighborhood Picnic-Potluck, I can’t miss the imposing presence of Bellingham Police Department’s BearCat, an armored vehicle weighing 20,000 pounds.

Osterkamp walks over to say hello and sees me peeking into the open driver’s side door.

“We’ve been trying to get the BearCat out into the community more to demystify it,” he explains. He’s brought it today so residents – and their children – can see it up close, climb inside, and learn more about it.

People often ask Osterkamp why the force has a BearCat and he’s quick to answer. “If someone gets shot and we need to rescue them, this is how we do it; there’s no other way without more people potentially getting killed.”

And while he admits it can be construed as a cool toy, he categorizes it the same as all the essential tools he employs as a police officer. “This vehicle, this gun, everything I carry – I use it to protect you, your kids, myself. It’s only used to protect.

Osterkamp introduces me to York Neighborhood Association President Lisa Anderson and Secretary Anne Mackie, who are setting up for the picnic.

The friendly conversation turns to a loud party Mackie was awakened by the night before at a nearby house. Osterkamp notes the address.

Later, as he tells me more about his duties as a Neighborhood Police Officer – a program that began in January 2015 – he mentions the disturbance. “I’ll find out if those are college students,” he says, “and if they are, I’ll go talk to Carmen Rasmussen at the Campus Community Coalition up at Western. Then she and I can go knock on their door and talk to them.”

It’s all about education, not enforcement.

Key to Osterkamp’s role as a Neighborhood Police Officer is fostering relationships with folks like Rasmussen – but also residents, local business owners, and other organization leaders.

“And it all starts right here,” he says, gesturing toward the park shelter, where neighborhood residents are now mingling and grilled hot dogs are being served.

“We want to make sure we’re sharing resources and the way to do that isn’t by the computer or phone,” he continues. “I have to be here, develop that relationship, so I know these people and they know me.”

Osterkamp and Bellingham Police Officer Dante Alexander share Neighborhood Police Officer duties, with Osterkamp following 12 south side neighborhoods and Alexander monitoring 13 on the north side.

Primarily, Osterkamp and Alexander’s job is to support the residents in their neighborhoods, as well as businesses, because without them there would be no neighborhoods. They also develop relationships with organizations such as Catholic Community Services, Opportunity Council, and Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center.

Both officers regularly attend neighborhood association meetings and gatherings like this one in Franklin Park. Today is his day off, but Osterkamp will happily spend five hours visiting with folks, hearing their stories, and learning about any problems or issues.

“I also go to local businesses and talk to them about ways to make their business safe,” says Osterkamp, who is certified in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. “I tell people how they can build their environment so it’s safe for them and those who come and use that space.”

Osterkamp is a familiar face around town – and a welcome one. A late July visit to Pickford’s Rooftop Cinema event ended up with a fun tweet and photo from the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, as well as Osterkamp connecting with dozens of moviegoers.

“That night, I probably had 20, 30 different conversations with people about things that are happening in the city,” he says. “Out of that, I start developing my ‘to do’ list for the next week, going out to deal with this, that, and the other.”

Osterkamp recognizes that Bellingham is special, and has an increasingly unique relationship with its police force.

“I was talking to someone yesterday and they said, ‘You know, there are certain places where cops aren’t welcome.’ And I said, ‘Well, not in Bellingham.’ I can walk every street in this whole area and feel comfortable and have people come out and say hello.”

And that’s because of the time he spends doing it, fostering relationships and being a friendly, visible face in the community.

He also credits the Bellingham Police Department. “They do a good job in who they hire and how they train us, how our culture is set up,” he says. “We’re not heavy-handed. We try to find solutions through education before enforcement. And if enforcement has to happen, we do it as minimally as possible.”

The bottom line for the Neighborhood Police Officer program is letting Osterkamp and Alexander get to know community members and business owners – and vice versa – so open communication can easily flow both ways.

A man walks into the park and yells out a friendly “How you doing?” across the way to Officer Osterkamp, who is in conversation with a group of residents.

“I live up on Samish Way,” the man says, “and I saw the vehicle.”

“You want to come drive it?” Osterkamp jokes, and everyone laughs.

He invites the gentleman to take a look in the BearCat, sit down and see what it’s all about. “Just don’t drink my coffee!” he says with a smile.

While Osterkamp finishes up his conversation, the man explores the BearCat, snaps a few photos with his camera before turning to leave.

“I just wanted to stop and say ‘Hey, good job!’” he yells over.

Osterkamp gives him a warm wave, thanks him, and tells him to take care.

Officer Osterkamp then sees another couple with a dog walking toward the BearCat and excuses himself from the conversation to head over and say hello. “This whole program is about being part of a community – all of it,” he says. “And it makes Bellingham safer for you, me – everyone.”