BRIDGEWATER, VA (Rocktown Now) — Residents of the Town of Bridgewater have created a non-profit foundation to support the Town’s Police Department and strengthen its connection with the community. The Bridgewater Police Foundation will reportedly provide additional resources to enhance officer safety, encourage professional development, and build public trust.

“Our police do a great job of community relations and providing protection, and we want to support them,” said the foundation’s president and Bridgewater resident Jim Knapik in a release.

The foundation aims to supplement the police department’s budgeted funds.

“The Town of Bridgewater does a great job of providing what the Police Department needs, but we want to supply funds for what pops up from time to time. There are things you would like to have but don’t have room for in the yearly budget.”

The idea of the foundation came from conversations among Bridgewater residents during the past year.

“We are people from different backgrounds,” said Knapik. “Many of us know the police officers by first name, and people here appreciate the work the department does. Bridgewater is a great place to live, and the Police Department is really something.”

Members of the foundation’s board worked with Police Chief Phillip Read to prioritize a wish list for the department. Their first focus is to update the Town’s existing traffic motorcycle. The board also identified wellness initiatives and support for additional training as ways they could encourage Bridgewater’s officers.

“Having the Bridgewater Police Foundation is a great benefit to us,” Read said. “Their support will allow purchases outside the normal yearly budget. This is also a way the community can express their support for the Police Department. The Foundation will help us to make Bridgewater an even safer place to live, and we are grateful for their partnership.”

For more information, visit Bridgewater Police Foundation.