2006 Performance Based Budget - Laserfiche WebLink

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much earlier, inviting them to visit Safetyville at Rum Village Park. For those who can't come to the park, we take the show on the road to schools, special events and community functions. Our School Resource Officers in the irAtermediate and high schools help to connect with staff students and their families. Young people get to know and trust police officers on their own turf. We have established a Police Explorer Unit for those 14-18 years of age who may be thinking of a career in law enforcement. We want to make contact early on in an attempt to develop a pool of interested candidates for the fixture. Last year we reinstated the Cadet Law Enforcement career program using local fi.tnds. This helps pay tuition and provides part-time employment with the department for three local college students with the expectation that they will apply to join the department when they graduate. Perhaps the most popular contact with youth is through ~ '~ ~ the Youth Recreation Program which collaborates with seven youth centers in the city. It allows police officers to ~~ ~ ~ _ ' develop positive relations with young people from diverse backgrounds, and to become coaches and role models. There are field trips, intramurals, teEmis and golf, hayrides, Christmas service activities and Toys-for-Tots. Last summer students for Washington High School participated in a Graffiti Blitz to help clean up properties on the West Side. Over 1,300 youth participated in these programs. Outreach to seniors is primarily through TRIAD, Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together. TRIAD provides information about scams and other issues that are pertinent to older adults. They conduct an annual Pill Drop program to provide a safe way for individuals to discard outdated or unneeded medications. In 2005 they introduced Project Lifesaver to St. Joseph County. This is an electronic monitoring service for victims of Alzheimer's, dementia, stroke, head injury or autism who have a history of wandering from their place of residence. This has been completely funded through community donations. Our police officers are busy. During 2005 there were over 100,000 police dispatches. MSOS seized 120 weapons and drugs with a street value over $4.$ million. The Traffic Section A-3 7