Oakdale Police have announced a program to increase responsiveness to challenges in the downtown business area.

Beginning Monday, July 31, Officer Mike Freudenthal, a reserve police officer with the Oakdale Police Department, will be assigned as the Downtown Community Resource Officer.

Officer Freudenthal will patrol the area during periodic blocks of time each week and will also respond directly to businesses via his department issued smartphone. Officer Freudenthal will also report to Sergeant Mike Nixon, the department’s Homeless Community Liaison. Sgt. Nixon supervises both the Reserve Officer Program and the department’s response to homeless related challenges. Sgt. Nixon has been instrumental with the police department’s partnership with Stanislaus River Watch, whereby volunteers clean up litter and address public safety concerns monthly.

“While patrol officers will continue to cover issues throughout the city including the downtown business area, our Downtown Resource Officer aims to become a resource to move past the Band-Aid and seek some longer term problem solving,” said Police Chief Scott Heller. “By focusing Officer Freudenthal downtown and expanding Sgt. Nixon’s role as Homeless Community Liaison, we hope to see some real results that we could look at expanding to other areas of the city in the near future.”

Look for additional information regarding this new initiative in the Aug. 2 issue of The Leader.