East Bay Community Action Program to Honor Warren Police Sgt.

East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) will recognize Warren Police Sergeant Jason Canario of Warren, RI, as one of its 2019 Vision Award recipients at the agency’s 16th Annual Seaside Gala at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI on Thursday, June 13, 2019. Each year, EBCAP presents Vision Awards to individuals and/or organizations that have had a profound impact on the agency, the lives of its clients, and the surrounding community. Canario is being recognized for his dedication and commitment to the safety and well-being of the students and families of EBCAP’s Head Start program at the Mary V. Quirk School in Warren.

When Canario moved into the role of Day Shift Patrol Supervisor last August, he identified the need for crossing safety for the Head Start students and parents at the Mary V. Quirk School on Main Street. “It’s the second busiest street in Warren, particularly in the morning when people are on their way to work,” said Canario. Twice a day- at the start of the school day and again at dismissal time - Canario pulls up to the school and helps children and their parents to safely cross the street. “I’m hoping that my presence there will make drivers more aware that they’re passing a school with small children and that we’re keeping kids safe,” he said.

This school year, the Head Start program invited Canario and Patrolman Joel Morrissette to talk with students about what they do in the community and street safety awareness. After the presentation, a Head Start staff member approached him asking if he was aware of any resources that would donate youth bike helmets as the school had some worn helmets in need of replacement. He left saying he’d do some research and get back to her.

A former Bicycle Patrol Officer, Canario feels strongly about the importance of wearing bike helmets. “On patrol I often encountered young kids riding without helmets and I’d remind them that kids under age 16 are required by state law to wear a helmet,” he said.

Canario came to the school a few days later with a box of new helmets for the tricycle riders on the playground. He had done the research, but when he was unable to identify a resource for donations, he himself bought the helmets and donated them to Head Start.

A teacher in the Head Start program, Chelsea Massed, said her students come to class and talk about “Officer Jason” at circle time. She said, “The students make him cards and pictures, and the parents talk highly of him.” She added, “Jason is a positive role model for our young children. Some dream of being a police officer when they grow up!”

Unlike the children in Head Start, working in law enforcement wasn’t a lifelong dream of Canario’s. After completing service in the United States Army, leaving with the rank of Staff Sergeant, Canario found himself in search of employment. It just so happened that the town he grew up and lived in most of his life was looking for new police officers. He considered the similarities between his work in the military and law enforcement and decided to apply. This year marks his twentieth year of service with the Warren Police Department. In addition to working as the Day Shift Patrol Supervisor, Canario is also in charge of training for the Department.

Although he admits working in law enforcement had not been a lifelong plan, Canario has made it a career. He said he enjoys being a police officer “because of the pace of the work- no two days are alike; there’s always something new.” He added that other than the time he was serving in the military, he lived in Warren his entire life. He shared that giving back to the community where he grew up “is meaningful” to him. He also shared that he has developed good friendships with fellow officers. “Knowing that you work with people you can trust is important,” he said.

Of the interactions with the Head Start children and their parents he said, “It is, without a doubt, the best part of my day. I hope to be doing this for many more years to come.”

Joining Canario on June 13 to receive his EBCAP Vision Award are fellow award recipients Roger Williams University Law student, Tyler Pare, of East Greenwich and community newspaper, Newport This Week. Rhode Island Governor Gina M. Raimondo, who is this year's Honorary Event Chairperson, will be presented the agency’s Public Service Award during the 16th Annual Seaside Gala’s award presentation.

Tickets for the 16th Annual Seaside Gala can be purchased on the EBCAP website: www.ebcap.org. For more information call Maggie Laurianno, Event Coordinator, at 401.847.7821 x. 339.

East Bay Community Action Program is a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation that provides a wide array of health and human services to the residents of Rhode Island's East Bay, including the municipalities of East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Little Compton, Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport, and Jamestown.