The key is community connections.
His name is Mudhafer K. Jasim.
But to the residents of the Northside's Northview Heights community, he's, "Officer Jake."Jasim wouldn't have it any other way.
"I want to be interacting with people a long time before an emergency happens," said Jasim. "I what them to know my name, who I am, what my demeanor is. That will mitigate a lot of issues down the road if anything bad happens.
"Jasim's approach to policing is part of a larger initiative created by the Pittsburgh Police Department to better connect and serve the Northside's 18 neighborhoods. Called, "Zone 1 Cares", this community policing plan brings residents and officers together to share concerns, give feedback and ultimately view one another as who they are: people interested in making Northside streets safer.
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Desire to be part of a bigger effort.
Jasim joined the Pittsburgh Police Department in 2018 after several years serving in the U.S. military. Assigned to the Northside's Zone 1 as a patrol officer, he was immediately impressed by how other officers made great efforts to connect with the community.
"The Northview Heights officers, you know, they were doing their thing," Jasim said. "I always admired what they were doing because every time they drove the streets, they got out of their cars and just talked to people. I wanted to be part of that."
In 2019, Jasim transferred to the Northview Heights' Calvin M. Hall Public Safety Center and immediately connected with the community.
"I learned really quick and it's very satisfying," he said. "Because you don't just interact with people during the worst-case scenario, you're there the whole time. You talk to them about sports and other stuff. I'm more invested because I know these people. I'm more protective because we know each other."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Importance of striking the right balance.
Jasim is quick to point out that his job is comprised of two equally important components.
"You can't just be an enforcer and neglect the other part because then it turns into us versus them," he said. "But then you can't just do the community policing and neglect the enforcing because then you're not really protecting the community."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Benefit of the doubt.
So far, it's a balance both Jasim and the other Zone 1 officers have largely been able to strike in situations both small and large. Jasim said one area filled with potential contention is when he pulls over people violating school zone speed limits. The traffic stops often gather crowds of Northside residents angry with the police and expecting to capture illegal behavior on video with their smart phones. That's when Jasim speaks with both the residents and the speeders.
"I explain to them it's for the safety of the kids, the driver and the passenger. And that usually changes their perspective," he said. “At the same time, we're not going to throw the book at violators either. We talk to them. They know who I am. We've probably met before. So, they understand we're just trying to keep the community safe."
Community connections in action.
Of course, the demands of community safety are often more serious than school zone speeding violations. However, Jasim said that doesn't mean the importance of making authentic connections with residents changes. In fact, much of the outreach both he and other Zone 1 officers conduct pays off in more dire situations, too.
Jasim gives an example. He recalls an instance where a violent crime suspect was located in a Northside house. Threat-level protocol dictated that the Pittsburgh Police Department's SWAT team was on site. Local residents gathered out of curiosity and, in some cases, anger. After the SWAT team apprehended the suspect, something interesting occurred: he wanted to speak with Jasim because the two had met before.
"He went down with us and the people were yelling and he was in handcuffs," Jasim remembered. "He told them, 'Relax, I'm going with Officer Larry and Officer Jake.' He calmed the people down because he trusted us and knew we weren't going to do him wrong."Jasim added, "I respect him for that and, you know, he respected us at the same time."
Everyone here has a life just like I do. They just want to go about their day and not have anybody inconvenience them. So, I relate to a lot of that stuff. We share it in common. And that just makes it easier to communicate.
