Spotlight on Kindness – Sheriff Bob Fletcher

 

"I shall pass this way but once.

Any good that I can do or any kindness I can show

to any human being, let me do it now."

                                     ~ Etienne de Grellet

We hear so much about law enforcement officers who abuse their power, and many people have concluded that all cops need to be restrained. We hear less about the many good-hearted law enforcement officers, who treat people fairly and with respect.

Today, we are highlighting Sheriff Bob Fletcher of Ramsey County, Minnesota, an example of policing with respect and kindness.

We first learned of Sheriff Bob when Larry came upon one of his “Live on Patrol” YouTube videos. Since then, Larry has become a big fan, impressed with the kindness Sheriff Bob demonstrates in all his interactions.

Bob Fletcher started “Live on Patrol” last year after the death of George Floyd, when he saw cops getting a bad rap. He decided to educate the public about their daily routine and let people know what police have to deal with every day.

Every Friday night, he streams his entire shift, along with Pat Scott, data analyst and former cop, as they show us what community policing is all about. When not responding to a call, they drive through the area, connecting with people and offering help when needed. “Live on Patrol” can be seen on YouTube or FaceBook

Bob Fletcher was first elected to serve as Ramsey County Sheriff in 1994, and he held that office for 16 years. During that time, he developed several new programs, including Youth literacy & Athletics programs, expanded citizen volunteerism opportunities, Safe Schools initiatives, Meth preventions Programs, a Gang intervention team, Sexual Offender & Career Criminal Tracking, Community Notification Technologies, a Premier K9 Unit and a Counter Terrorism Unit. During that time, serious crime in Ramsey County fell by 20%.

In addition to serving as the Ramsey County Sheriff, Bob served two terms on the St. Paul City Council, and as a member of the City Council and, also, as Mayor of Vadnais Heights.

Community Service

While serving as Ramsey County Sheriff, Bob developed many youth crime prevention programs designed to help kids succeed and stay out of trouble including reading programs, athletic activities, and truancy enforcement.

Bob has spent much of his life volunteering as a youth athletics coach.  He has coached football, hockey, Softball and baseball for many years.  He was also one of the original coaches for the "Night Moves" Basketball program in St. Paul.  

As sheriff, he developed youth literacy and athletics programs for the immigrant Hmong community. Two short videos below highlight his efforts to help young immigrant children to feel included in their community, and to help them build a foundation for a successful life.

In 2011, Bob formed the Center for Somalia History Studies, and he has been very involved with the twin cities Somali community. He teaches classes on Somalia history and culture, as well as seminars on radicalization al- shabaab, ISIS and terrorism. 

He actively works with the Twin Cities Somali community to promote cross-cultural understanding and ensure successful transition to living in a new country. As a counter-terrorism instructor, he has worked to combat the radicalization of Somali youth.

In 2018, Bob was elected again as Sheriff of Ramsey County. As impressive as his career has been, what impressed us most was the way in which he brings kindness into his daily activities as sheriff.  As he and Pat are on patrol, they often talk about the importance of caring about others, encouraging their audience to find ways to spread kindness in their own lives.

One evening recently, they stopped by the House of Refuge, where staff and volunteers set out abundant supplies of nutritious food on long tables, and people come through with shopping carts to get their weekly supply of food, including a wide selection of fresh produce.  Bob and Pat talked with staff and volunteers as they did a tour of the large warehouse that housed the weekly “Food Shelf,” and they invited their audience to support the project with financial donations or volunteering their time.

Bob always has gift certificates for food or other items with him, which he hands out as he encounters people on the street. He and Pat talk about how difficult some people’s lives are, and how we never know what life experiences have led them to their current situation.

Many followers of “Live on Patrol,” whom he calls “back seaters,” send him additional gift certificates for them to pass out. Their acts of generosity have become a community activity, and their example has inspired other to find ways to expand kindness in their own lives.

If you would like to contribute gift certificates to be distributed to folks in need, you can send them to:

     Ramsey County Sheriff, 425 Grove St, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

Sheriff Bob shows us that it is possible to provide law and order with genuine concern for the people he serves.

Thank you Sheriff Bob Fletcher for bringing kindness into a job that seems an unlikely place to find it. You are a bright, shining light in the world.

     Click here to see the power of support programs to change children’s lives.

     Click here to see how learning to play hockey helped to keep kids out of gangs.

     Click here to learn more about bob Fletcher. 

     Click here to learn more about the House of Refuge, Saint Paul.

 

What are your thoughts?  Please leave a comment below.

 

Help us spread the message of kindness.

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We’re grateful that you are on this journey with us.

With love from our hearts to yours,

Pat and Larry