Policing in Ithaca involves both enforcement and community engagement. Officers such as Lt. Mary Orsaio carry out daily duties that range from administrative oversight to direct interaction with residents, reflecting the department’s efforts to balance professionalism with public accessibility. These responsibilities are carried out in city streets, offices, and neighborhood establishments, illustrating the multifaceted nature of law enforcement in the community.
Beyond the badge, policing represents a delicate balance between authority and empathy, structure and humanity. Officers navigate a world of expectations, responsibilities, and relationships, where each decision resonates beyond the immediate moment. In Ithaca, this balance shapes not only the public’s sense of safety, but also the trust and understanding that support the social fabric of the city.
In Ithaca, a City know for its progressive values and community engagement, Lt. Orsaio exemplifies the integration of law enforcement within the use of daily life. She is a familiar face at mulitple local establishments, such as her favorite coffeeshop, Botanist Coffeehouse. These interactions highlight the importance of approachability and trust in community policing.
“For me, to serve a community effectively, you hav to immerse yourself in it and truly be a part of it,” Osaio said. “I care deeply about the people I serve, and I feel a genuine sense of ownership and identity when it comes to the City of Ithaca.”
Ithaca’s commitment to transparency and community policing is reflected in initiatives like the Ithaca Police Explorer Post #392, which offers young adults an opportunity to learn about law enforcement as a career option.
Daily police work is shaped as much by leadership as it is by individual actions in the field. Lt. Orsaio’s role includes overseeing briefings, managing operations, and ensuring her officers uphold departmental standards. “Leadership in this profession isn’t just about oversight,” she said. “It’s about setting an example, showing that empathy and professionalism can coexist.”
The symbols of the profession, from the badge pinned to an officers chest to the values printed on the side of a patrol car, represent more than authority. They reflect a promise of integrity and responsibility to the community.
“Beyond the Badge means being a person not just a cop,” Orsaio said. “Having an identity other than just the job.”
That separation, she noted, is what keeps her grounded.
“When work gets stressful, I remind myself what really matters,” she said. “Policing is an important and honorable profession, but it’s essential to maintain a life and identity outside of the job. That balance is key to longevity and personal well-being in this career.”
Community engagement remains a cornerstone of policing in Ithaca. Officers spend time speaking with residents, attending community meetings and visiting the city’s homeless encampments known locally as “The Jungle.” Those interactions reflect an approach to public safety that places value on presence and dialogue.
Ithaca has pushed in recent years to “reimagine public safety,” exploring new ways to respond to mental health crises and housing insecurity. For officers, engagement with residents is part of navigating that shift. Each conversation, whether on a downtown street or in an encampment, become a small piece of a larger effort to show that law enforcement can be a partner, not just an authority.
This work often brings officers face to face with people in difficult circumstances. Encampments like “The Jungle,” a wooded area on the edge of Ithaca, are home to residents who live outside traditional systems of housing and support. For officers, these interactions are a reminder that policing is not limited to emergencies or enforcement, it also means showing up where the city’s most vulnerable people live.
Officer Ryan Card is often seen walking the paths of the encampment, not to issue citations or make arrest, but to talk. Sometimes the conversations are light, about daily routines or local updates. Other times they carry more weight, touching on safety, resources, and more personal matters. In those moments, trust is not built by the badge alone but by the willingness to listen.
Orsaio approaches the same work with consistency, making herself present in spaces where officers and residents can meet as people, not just as roles. Looking ahead, Lr. Orsaio hopes that the next generation of officers carries that same philosophy forward. “I hoped the next generation sees police officers in a better light, as protectors, partners, and members of the communities they serve,” Orsaio said.
“And I hope to see real progress in rebuilding trust and repairing relationships with marginalized communities.”
