Before grabbing their seats to watch the Rhode Island Rams take on Virginia Commonwealth University at the Ryan Center on Saturday, students made sure they got their free hot dogs and popcorn from the URI Police Department.
Community Police Officer Paul Hanrahan stood outside the Ryan Center with his big, blue URI food truck, greeting students with free food before they walked into the game.
The food truck is another strategy being used by the police department in order to get closer to students as part of their community policing philosophy. “What we did is we got a truck, out of the dump, basically. We had the prison work on it and along with dining we hand away free food for the students as part of the community policing effort,” said Hanrahan. According to Hanrahan, the goal of the community policing philosophy is to get students more comfortable with the police officers on campus.
Hanrahan receives a budget from the police department for community policing which helps fund the food and the truck. He said he has also received funding from different organizations on campus, like housing and student life, when supporting one of the organization’s events.
Hanrahan said the response from students has been great. “They love it. They’re very friendly. They love the free food. Unfortunately, for some of them, it might be the only meal they get,” he said.
The students Hanrahan greeted with food expressed their thanks as they enjoyed their hot dogs and popcorn before heading into the Ryan Center.
“I love free anything, especially food, because I have 40 cents in my bank account because I’m poor,” freshman Hannah Leach said with a laugh. Leach said she agrees that it’s a great way for police officers to get more familiar with the student body.
“I think it’s a great idea. I think it makes the officers on campus look friendlier,” Leach said. “I think people are afraid of police officers now and I think this will make people more approachable.”
Hanrahan said he will attend any and all events at URI with the food truck. “We don’t turn anyone down,” he said, “I think it’s a great program. I love dealing with the students and they seem to love the free food, so it works out for all of us.”