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Report regarding current City and Police Department outreach programs to youth and future endeavors that promote safety and positive relationships between the police and our youth community. (Andrada Tomisinet, Police Chief)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council receive an update about the current community outreach programs involving the police department that foster friendly police-youth relationships.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The South San Francisco Police Department hosts and/or participates in several programs focusing on our youth population to promote positive relationships between police officers and youth, and to raise awareness about safety and careers in law enforcement.
The Spring Youth Police Academy is an afterschool program for 5th grade children. Some of the topics discussed in the program include detectives, crime scene evidence, motorcycles, SWAT, the K9 team, and other department-related demonstrations.
The Summer Youth Academy Program is a week-long summer-camp style program that is intended for teens between the ages of 12 and 14. It is designed to build and strengthen the relationships between middle schoolers and members of the Police Department by educating them about the many functions of the police department, and roles of officers within the community.
South San Francisco Explorer Cadets is a program that allows students ages 15-21 from South San Francisco to learn about different jobs in law enforcement while helping their local community. The program teaches leadership skills, teamwork, discipline, and the importance of civil service. It encourages positive relations between police and local youth.
The SSF Police Activities League (PAL) Boosters, founded in 1958, has a mission to foster stronger community ties with the youth of SSF by supporting and sponsoring various sports, arts, and youth initiatives, such as baseball. The Police Activities League strives to “build resilient police-community relationships through youth involvement, mentorship, and education, paving the way for a safer and more cohesive tomorrow.”
The Every Kid Deserves a Bike Program was created by the City of South San Francisco with partnerships from the San Mateo County Office of Education and several other community organizations/volunteers. The program provides low-income elementary school-aged students with free bikes and lessons, encouraging personal growth, confidence, and outdoor experiences. The police department has been an active participant in this program since its inception.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no budget impact associated with these programs because the police department has staff members who help coordinate the events as a regular responsibility of their assignments.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Continuing valuable youth outreach programs meets Strategic Goals #3: Public Safety by rendering skilled police, fire, and emergency service management.
CONCLUSION
The El Camino High School assembly to prevent drunk driving and the Spring & Summer Youth Police Academy, Explorer Cadets, Police Activities League, and Every Kid Deserves a Bike programs allow the police department to promote safety awareness to youth, provide eye-opening experiences about law enforcement work to South San Francisco youth, and promote understanding and positive relationships between the police department and South San Francisco youth.