Taking over for San Jose Police Capt. Manny Martinez— who also monitored the WGNA elist and attended Willow Glen Neighborhood Assocation meetings—Fairhurst, a 28-year veteran of the police force, has worked in numerous units before his latest appointment.

He started as a patrol officer but through the years has acquired an extensive résumé in the police department. He has worked with the city's S.W.A.T. team and crime scene, the sexual assault, traffic and the narcotics covert investigations units.

During his two-year tenure with the traffic investigations unit, the 53-year-old police captain spent time in Willow Glen where he collaborated with the San Jose Department of Transportation on the Lincoln Avenue crosswalk program. Fairhurst said traffic problems remain the number-one concern for residents throughout San Jose.

And while he worked on easing traffic, Fairhurst gained experience working with neighborhood associations to address citizens' concerns. As captain, he plans to continue working with residents to maintain San Jose's reputation as one of the nation's safest cities.

"Community policing is, in essence, just good policing," Fairhurst said. "We try to stay in touch with citizens and find out what their needs are, and cooperate with other city departments to solve the problems."

San Jose Police Department Lt. Gary Kirby, who has known Fairhurst since they both joined the department in 1976, said the captain is a strong advocate for community concerns.

"Richard is an individual who looks at the community's needs and makes a personal effort to address those needs," Kirby said. "He is compassionate and demanding upon himself. His natural openness allows people to approach him. He is not intimidating, but is a confident individual."

And community members hope that the police department will continue to reach out to them. Greater Gardner Coalition chairman and Gardner Advisory Council vice president Kevin Christman said maintaining contact with the citizens they serve should be a priority for police officers.

"Community outreach is important," he said. "It needs to happen more, especially at the neighborhood association level, where officers can spend more time with residents and get into more specifics. Different problems affect different neighborhoods."

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association President Helen Solinski also hopes the police department remains diligent about reaching out to the community. So far, they have done a good job, she said.

"We are looking forward to working with Cpt. Fairhurst," Solinski said. "The San Jose Police Department has done a great job of participating and keeping us informed."