When Chief Ed Delmore took the helm of the Pelham Police Department just three months ago, he brought with him a deep commitment to community policing and a clear vision for the future, one that embraces Pelham’s diversity as a source of strength. With a growing Hispanic and Latino population, Chief Delmore recognized an opportunity to expand the department’s outreach and build stronger relationships across all communities.
To put action behind his vision, Chief Delmore sent four members of the Pelham Police Department to Storm Lake, Iowa, a city nationally recognized for its intentional and effective approach to community policing. Storm Lake’s police department has earned widespread respect for its ability to build trust in a community where more than 20 languages are spoken and no single ethnic group holds a majority. The goal? To listen, learn, and bring home ideas that can be adapted to Pelham’s unique character.
Making the trip were Lieutenant Mike Freeman, Detective Iliana Hayakahua, Dispatcher Stephanie Oliveria, and the department’s Communications & Records Manager, David Fuentes. Each officer participated in outreach events, such as Tacos with a Cop and a city-wide Kids Fest, and volunteered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need.
For Detective Hayakahua, the experience was transformative. “This opportunity was not merely a professional development trip; it was an affirmation of my dedication and a chance to bring back impactful strategies for our city,” she said. “Effective policing in a diverse city transcends traditional enforcement; it demands empathy, proactive engagement, and a genuine commitment to serving every segment of the population.”
Lt. Freeman echoed her sentiments. A veteran officer who began his career in 1990, he volunteered to attend the trip, seeing it as an opportunity to deepen community connections. “We have a melting pot of residents, and some refuse to call the police because of where they’re from,” he explained. “By including them in our community engagement efforts, we can show them we are truly here for everyone.”
The officers witnessed the power of intentional outreach firsthand. “The Kid’s Festival felt like the entire city had come out to connect,” said Lt. Freeman. “And Tacos with a Cop? We ran out of tacos before I even got one! The excitement in the eyes of people waiting in line—that’s something words can’t explain.”
Both officers were especially moved by their experience with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Lt. Freeman recalled delivering bunk beds to a family of five living in a one-bedroom apartment. “The oldest child was autistic and nonverbal. As a grandfather to a nonverbal autistic child, I know how important personal space is,” he said. “Watching him climb onto the top bunk and quietly engage with a video on a phone—it was heavenly. No words can explain the joy I felt.”
Detective Hayakahua added that simple, compassionate acts like this demonstrate the broader role officers can play. “We have the power to build trust and strengthen the fabric of the community in ways that routine patrols cannot.”
Both officers returned inspired, ready to take the next steps. Lt. Freeman is most excited about creating more opportunities for residents to connect with officers outside of emergencies. “We want to interact beyond the call for service,” he said. “That’s how trust is built.” Detective Hayakahua hopes to see an expanded calendar of culturally inclusive events and more informal, approachable engagement throughout Pelham.
As Chief Delmore and his team move forward with renewed purpose, they carry with them not only the lessons of Storm Lake but a shared belief in the transformative power of community. “We’re not just building safer neighborhoods,” said Detective Hayakahua. “We’re building a city where every person feels seen, heard, and valued.”
Watch for an expanded version of this story in the September issue of The Pelham Pathway.