EASTON, Pa. — Jeff Crosson was honored as Police Officer of the Year by the Easton Kiwanis at a special ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues at the Peace Officers Memorial Day event Wednesday.
Crosson was commended for his work at the Easton Police Department and recognized by his peers on the force at the Pomfret Club, part of a mission spearheaded by the Easton Kiwanis in 1981, when merchant and Kiwanis Club President Tom Stotz and fellow Kiwanian Police Chief William Cunningham promoted the idea to recognize outstanding work in public service.
Club President James Owen welcomed the crowd of Kiwanis, officers, and members of the community to the ceremony, which he noted had been held for the past 43 years.
“We also honor the entirety of the Easton Police Department for the safety of our community, our friends, loved ones, and fellow citizens. We're so grateful that you're here. And we're so grateful to have the opportunity to be able to make this recognition and presentation,” Owen said.
Captain of Field Services Salvatore Crisafulli explained the concept behind National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day, the latter coming into being in 1962 when President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation for the holiday.
“[During] National Police Week we pay special recognition to the police profession. The police profession is a calling; It's a calling to protect and serve. It's also a calling to put others above oneself. Each year for Police Week, we gather here to recognize a member of the Easton Police Department, a member of the Easton Police Department whose work performance the year prior stood out. This year we are honoring Officer Jeffrey Crosson,” Crisafulli said.
Crosson honored for work with Easton homeless
Crisafulli detailed how Crosson entered public service in 1998 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. From there, he joined the Philadelphia Police Department in 2006, serving there until 2010, when he joined the Easton Police Department.
During his time, Crosson has worked as a training officer, firearms instructor, and crisis negotiator, among other responsibilities.
“It was last year that Officer Crosson took on another duty, a duty with little fanfare and little recognition. Officer Crosson spearheads our homeless outreach program,” Crisafulli said.
Through the program, Crosson has actively engaged with dozens of homeless individuals, offering support, care, and services via direct interaction with those in need.
State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, commended Crosson for his service and work, presenting him with a citation from the state’s House of Representatives.
“I always love being able to present this because it’s the only time I get a chance to give a police officer a citation. This is a good one; there’s no points on your driver’s license,” Freeman said to a laughing crowd before complimenting Crosson on “a very distinguished career.”
“It's also heroic that you choose to volunteer yourself to spearhead the homeless outreach with the department because that's not something that police generally think about. But it shows that you're concerned with the community, your willingness to create a program that serves people that have no voice at all in your community.”Stephen Baratta, Northampton County district attorney
Northampton County District Attorney Stephen G. Baratta spoke on the subject of public perception of police work, noting that while many citizens assume the job is mundane, police work can be fraught with crises for those who need help – whether that crisis is a helping a victim of a crime, or a member of the community in need of other assistance.
“It's also heroic that you choose to volunteer yourself to spearhead the homeless outreach with the department because that's not something that police generally think about. But it shows that you're concerned with the community, your willingness to create a program that serves people that have no voice at all in your community,” Baratta said.
“And that says a lot to me about who you are, and that says a lot for what your peers think of you and why it is you’re being honored today. And I want to congratulate you thank you so much.”
Reflecting on community impact
Upon accepting his honors, Crosson thanked his colleagues at the department, the Kiwanis, and his wife, Jen, and their children.
Reflecting on the program that has brought him such accolades, Crosson noted it took a team consisting of himself, Chief Carl Scalzo, Lt. Joseph Alonzo, Community Advocate Kristen Cooper, and other public service workers to make it work, adding it was “one of the first things we have in the Lehigh Valley addressing homelessness as well as the quality of life crimes that were taking place downtown.”
“During the process, we were able to treat and relocate more than two-thirds of the people we encountered before the end of the year,” Crosson said, adding the program was able to assist with relocation services for a significant number of the 69 individuals they approached.
“As a member of this community, I take pride in what people see when they come to our city, and I can honestly say I couldn't be happier. The city has changed a lot since 2010, and even more since I was a kid growing up on other side of the river. I believe that's a direct result of the hard work and dedication provided by the Easton Police Department. Again, I just want to say thank everybody for coming and see you soon.”
Crosson’s wife, Jen, said her family was “super proud of him” for his accomplishments and hard work.
“He's somebody that puts 100% into everything he does – his family, his marriage, his guitar-playing career that some know about. It doesn't surprise me at all that he'd be one of the best at this job, so we're very proud of him,” Jen Crosson said.
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. applauded Crosson and the Easton Police Department for engaging with a subset of the population that is often overlooked or outright treated with hostility.
“Officer Crosson has done a great job as our bicycle officer Downtown, especially with those who their voices aren't heard, and that is our homeless. He and Kristen have done a great job of making sure that our homeless people who have mental illnesses are also getting the care that they need. It's not just finding a place, it's also getting them to the quality of service that they need. So we're really proud of them,” Panto said.
Crosson later said he was honored to be recognized by his peers and recommended for the award by his supervisors, especially concerning his work which focuses on “a whole different way of policing and looking at things.”
It’s a mission Crosson takes pride in, and one which he recognizes is integral to improving the community.
“I'm on a bike every day, so I'm very visible down here. The homeless people that live down here all know who I am, they come and talk to me, they call my phone,” Crosson said.
“It's a different dynamic, and I feel like it's an easier way to combat it because they trust you and they're able to tell you things – what they need, what they can get from you, as well as I can tell them, ‘This is what we're going to do. We can't do this. We can't do that. But we can do this.’ If they need help, any treatment, we're able to do it now.”
