COLUMBUS, Ohio - Pandemic or not, police officers are always there to answer the call.
Columbus Police Acting Deputy Chief Jennifer Knight, like many of us, is learning as she goes.
"This is a first time in my career," she said of COVID-19. "I've never seen anything like this."
The last few weeks she says the division and the public have responded remarkably to an ever-changing situation.
"It's amazing to me that everyone has responded and I think when we come out on the other end of this we will be an example to other people," she said.
People are why Brian Newsome answered the call 27 years ago.
"It's the best job I've ever had," he said.
The last five years he's served as the community liaison officer in Hilltop talking with the people, staying connected and working through situations. The better part of the last month, though, that hasn't been possible.
"There's nothing I can do at this point because of the limited contact with people," he said of community interaction. "It is hard."
He still works with the division during the pandemic. Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) now take reports over the phone helping to ease the workloads of those officers on the streets.
Wednesday, a pick-me-up.
World Market Lennox location recently donated enough candy and chocolates to make 48 Easter baskets and gave them to Starfish Assignment, which is a local organization that helps connect officers with communities' needs.
Normally, the items would have been donated to the community, but given the concerns with COVID-19, the next best option was giving to the officers themselves.
"It's awesome," Newsome said. "I didn't expect that."
"For the community to recognize [police efforts], we really appreciate it and we will continue to be out there protecting you," Knight said.
They'll always be there. Always. Until that last call has ended.