Operation Youth Week is a program that is designed to teach youths the basics of law enforcement and in turn put a human face to the uniform they see on the street.
The program, which began in 1985, is one of the department's most influential tools in reaching out to kids in the community, according to Lt. Thomas Cahill, who with six other officers will instruct the approximately 50 children who have signed up.
The popular program runs from Aug. 13 to 17.
"This is a chance for us to give back to the kids in the community," said police officer and Youth Week instructor Vito Gigante, "to show them that we're not the bad guy - that we're here to help them."
In addition to the local authorities, kids will also get a chance to meet with and learn from FBI agents, state police, and members of the Coast Guard, who are expected to bring either a helicopter or boat so that the children can better understand what they do.
"Children are the most important part of our community," said Captain James Fitzsimmons, who heads the department's Community Policing Bureau, which oversees the event. "It's important that we build these bridges now, at this point in their lives, so that when they see a police officer walking down the street, they see us as a friend and someone they can trust."
The program is targeted at kids 12 to 15, although there are some older and younger in the program. There are also various community events and fairs coming up for all ages (see sidebar).
Reaching local teens
One local teen who's grasped the program's message is 15-year-old Joe Feinstein, who after attending Operation Youth Week for the past six years, plans to return for a seventh time next week.
"Prior to taking this program, I thought police were scary people; now I know they're just like us," said Feinstein. "It's a good learning experience. It shows us how men and women become police officers and what they learn to protect the people of the community."
For the second year in a row, Joe will be joined by his younger brother Michael, who after experiencing the program for the first time last year, couldn't wait to enroll again.
"I realize they're here to help even more now than before," said 9-year-old Michael, who like his older brother enjoyed the self-defense techniques.
The Feinstein brothers aren't the only siblings who are looking forward to participating in the program again. Natasha and Nayasia Nieves will be returning for their fourth year in a row.
"I used to think [police] were mean before the program," said Natasha, who echoed the sentiments of her 14-year-old twin sister. "You learn a lot of stuff and you have a lot of fun, [but] there's also a discipline you have to have when you go there and I like that a lot."
Natasha, who especially enjoyed the K-9 demonstration that showed her how bomb and drug-sniffing dogs operate, was presented with "The Most Athletic Student" award last year by police.
Nayasia said she appreciated learning about criminal justice and the visit to the Bergen County Police Academy, which is where most Hoboken officers are trained, saying, "You have more respect for them after you see what they go through."
Although this year's course is filled to capacity, Fitzsimmons encouraged children who are interested to apply for the program in case other kids don't show up.
To find out more about the program, which will be held at Stevens Institute of Technology, call the Hoboken Police Department's Community Service Bureau at (201) 222-7621 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Sidebar Events for all ages
Hoboken's youth aren't the only residents benefiting from community-based events during the month of August. On Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m., runners and walkers will gather at Pier A Park to take part in the "16th Annual 5K Run/Walk Against Crime and Drugs."
In recent years, the event attracted between 500 and 750 participants and raised approximately $8,500 per year for local charities.
This year's beneficiary is the Hoboken High School Emergency Response Team, which provides medical assistance to the community via a trained group of students. The students can administer CPR and advanced first aid techniques if necessary, functioning as the city's secondary EMT service behind the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
The money will be used towards the students' training and purchasing more equipment.
Participants can register for the event up until the start of the race for a $20 fee. For more information about the race, log onto www.hoboken5k.com or call (201) 420-5117.
The following night, Hoboken's Police Department is continuing its outreach with the city's 16th Annual National Night Out event, to heighten drug and crime awareness in the community.
Celebrations will be held in two locations, at Church Square Park and at the 310 Jackson Street Courtyard in the Hoboken Housing Authority. Both locations will have representatives from the Hoboken Police Department, Hudson County Prosecutor's Office and Homeland Security.
In addition to enjoying a barbeque, residents will have the chance to get finger printing ID kits for their children, so that if ever they are lost, parents can turn their child's prints into police with a picture to assist them in their recovery effort.
Children will also be able to register for the Police Athletic League's upcoming football season.
In the Housing Authority there will also be a magic show for the kids performed by Police Officer Juan Madera. The events will run from 6:30 p.m. till 10 p.m. on Tuesday Aug. 7. For more information, call (201) 420-2100. -- MM
Michael Mullins can be reached at mmullins@hudsonreporter.com.
Post a Comment