Forward Janesville - TheReport - Second Quarter 2023

www.forwardjanesville.com | 7 uww.edu/rock YOU EARNED THOSE CREDITS. WE COUNT THEM. continue your journey: BAAS degree completion program through the ranks at the police department, he started laying the groundwork to position himself to be chief one day. He worked two jobs while also going to grad school and raising two children. His wife, Karen, was his greatest support, he said. Moore was appointed to Chief in 2009, right on the tails of the General Motors plant closure. This time was among the most significant in his career. “I challenged my officers and said we are now a part of economic development. If we keep this community safe, business and jobs will come to our community.” The department under Moore’s leadership developed a plan to improve safety and increase perception of safety. Both are equally important, Moore said. Janesville’s 4th Ward and Look West neighborhoods were taking turns for the worst with high vacancy and low employment rates. Moore is proud that 15 years later, both neighborhoods have drastically improved. “Look where we are today. We have more people than homes and more jobs than people. That’s a good problem compared to 2009.” Public safety and economic development go hand in hand, Moore said. “A lot of these businesses can choose where they want to go. They look at the safety of a community,” Moore shared. “...We can point to stats and survey data that shows we are safe and people think we are safe. You have to have both.” As time ticked on, local leaders started picturing what Janesville would look like post-GM closure. These plans led to theARISENow public-private partnership. Squire in the beginning of his career walked across a flat, gray parking deck covering the Rock River to get from his job at the bank to the YMCAafter work. Now, he gets to walk along a “beautiful pedestrian bridge”, the Blain-Gilbertson Heritage Bridge, that was one of the fruits of the fundraising labor he helped foster as part of ARISENow. “You see what can happen when people have vision, want a great community and work together. You can accomplish a whole lot of things,” Squire said. Squire has had a front-row seat to an evolution over his 25 years at Johnson Financial. David and Karen Moore Chief Moore’s team