Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit Praised for Outreach

Letters to the editor highlight the value of the sheriff's safety training and self-defense workshops.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 9:05am

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A recent collection of letters to the editor in the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette focused on the positive impact of the Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit. The letters praised the unit's safety training sessions and self-defense workshops, which have been well-received by community members, particularly older adults. The writers encouraged other organizations to take advantage of this 'amazing, helpful community resource' by inviting the CRU team to speak to their groups.

Why it matters

The letters highlight the importance of law enforcement outreach and community engagement programs, which can help build trust, improve public safety, and empower residents, especially vulnerable populations like seniors. The Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit appears to be a model program that is making a tangible difference in the lives of local residents.

The details

According to the letters, the Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit has provided safety training and self-defense workshops to community members over the past several months. The training sessions have covered topics like avoiding scams and simple everyday actions people can take to reduce the likelihood of being a victim of crime. The writers praised the CRU team's 'surprisingly funny and down-to-earth style' and encouraged other youth groups, sports teams, and organizations to take advantage of this 'amazing, helpful community resource'.

  • The Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit has provided training sessions over the last several months.
  • The most recent training sessions took place just a few weeks ago.

The players

Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit

A community outreach program run by the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office that provides safety training and self-defense workshops to local residents.

Cpl. Hendrick

A member of the Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit who has led the training sessions.

Leah Hackleman-Good

A Lancaster resident who wrote a letter praising the Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit.

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What they’re saying

“Cpl. Hendrick and her team have provided safety training for us four times during the last several months. Many of our older members very much appreciated the descriptions of how they can avoid scams that happen in our community--there are some doozies, and if your organization has older members, you might invite them to provide this training for you!”

— Leah Hackleman-Good, Lancaster resident

“The three self-defense workshops were huge hits. The CRU team provided some sobering statistics about national and local crime. But their workshop went beyond that and gave us some simple, everyday actions we can take to reduce the likelihood of being a victim. Ask me about how to carry your purse--and how not to! And what does 'four is stronger than one' mean to you? You'd know if you had taken the workshops!”

— Leah Hackleman-Good, Lancaster resident

“Their information and knowledge--and their surprisingly funny and down-to-earth style--represent the Sheriff's office's best and brightest. If you have a youth group, sports team, or organization, I encourage you to take advantage of this amazing, helpful community resource and invite them to talk to you.”

— Leah Hackleman-Good, Lancaster resident

What’s next

The Fairfield County Sheriff's Office plans to continue offering the Community Response Unit's safety training and self-defense workshops to local organizations and community groups in the coming months.

The takeaway

The Fairfield County Sheriff's Community Response Unit is a valuable community resource that is making a positive impact by empowering residents, particularly older adults, with important safety information and self-defense skills. Other communities could benefit from similar outreach programs that build trust and engagement between law enforcement and the public.