3. Thesis - The police work to createpositive relationships within the community, particularly by guiding and helping its youth. They run organizations, such as P.A.L and D.A.R.E, which help keep adolescents off the street, and also help operate detention centers.
4. Statistics From 1991 the percentage of juveniles committing forcible rape was 44% higherthan in the 1980’s. In 2005 49% of juveniles arrested were punished for committingarson. In 2005, 37% of juveniles arrestedreceived sentences for acts of vandalism.
5. Why are youths at risk? Immaturity Lack of strong family unit Desire for material Possessions Easily influenced by peers Environment
7. What is P.A.L Police Athletic League Steps leading up to the creation of PAL Playstreets Junior Police Crime Prevention Bureau Twilight Athletic League Junior Police Athletic League
19. The 10 Lessons of DARE Purpose Tobacco and You Smoke Screen Alcohol and You The Real Truth Friendship Foundations Putting it Together Personal Action Practice, Practice, Practice! Graduation
20. Lesson 1 - Purpose Purpose + Overview of The D.A.R.E program: describes the program and expresses it through a decision making model (define, access, respond and evaluate) to solve a situation.
21. Lesson 2 – Tobacco and You Tobacco and You: Talks about tobacco use among teens and the harmful effects tobacco use has
22. Lesson 3 – Smoke Screen ) Smoke Screen: Helps kids understand the marketing behind tobacco use. Also talks about the harmful effects of marijuana and similarities/differences of the effect marijuana and tobacco has on the body
23. Lesson 4 – Alcohol and You Alcohol and You: teaches about alcohol and its harmful effect. Also shows the amount of young kids who do not use it by having them understand how to minimize peer pressure
24. Lesson 5 – The Real Truth This lesson helps students in understanding the harmful effects of inhalant use and shows alternativesto avoid the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful drugs. It also shows how to assess alcohol advertisements and the impact they have on today's youth.
25. Lesson 6 – Friendship Truth This teaches kids good communication skills which allow students to buildhealthy relationships with peers.
26. Lesson 7 – Putting it Together This lesson is used show how to avoid and resist pressures of drugs and alcohol.
27. Lesson 8 – Personal Action This helps students identify thepressures that influence decisions about drug and alcohol use and how to use the decision-making process if in these situations. Students start preparing by writing a D.A.R.E. essay.
28. Lesson 9 – Practice, Practice, Practice! In this lesson the students practice refusal skills for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. The DARE Decision-Making Model is reviewed and discussed.
29. Lesson 10 - Graduation The graduation ceremony is the end of the D.A.R.E. Program and the students' families are invited to the event. A guest speaker addresses the group, essay winners are awarded their prizes, and the students are presented with their diplomas.
37. Behavior Plans Following staff directives Interacting with other residents Controlling your language and temper Respect Youth Center Property Room neatness and personal hygiene
38. Privilege Levels Rookie Level Conditional Citizen Level Full Citizen Level Citizen II Level (Red Shirt) Representative Level
39. Rules Summarized Following Staff Directions Interacting with Other Residents Controlling Your Language and Temper Respect Youth Center Property Room Neatness and Personal Hygiene School Conduct Dining Room Be Honest
43. Journal Example “After I moved on, I helped an elementary kid with his math. He was learning rays, lines, and line segments, which I thought was very easy to teach. I made sure he had a good understanding before I moved onto other students. He said that he now had a better understanding!”
47. Works Cited “Afterschool Programs: Keeping Kids — and Communities — Safe.” After School Alert Issue Brief 27 (2007): n. pag. web.ebscohost. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <http:/www.afterschoolalliance.org/resources.cfm>. I feel the article “Afterschool Programs: Keeping Kids — and Communities — Safe” s Arthur Woods. N.d. wikipedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Arthur_Woods_01.jpg>. Coffey, Alan R., Edward Eldefonso, and Walter Hartinger. Police-Community Relations. Ed. James D. Stinchcomb. 1971. Englewood Cliff, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, INC, 1971. Print.. Croddy, Marshall. Document Resume. Ed. Bill Hayes and Kerri Doggett. Constitutional Rights Foundation , 1999. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. <http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED432480.pdf>. Daily, Karen. “Police team has kids on the right track.” McClatchy-Tribune [Milwaukee] 28 June 2007: n. pag. Rpt. in Aiken Standard. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. ebscohost. Web. 3 Nov. 2010. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W62W63488869138&site=ehost-live>. This article explains “D.A.R.E Program.” uppermeriontownship. Upper Merion Township, 2011. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://pa-uppermeriontownship.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=209>. Emergency Medical Technician online education. N.d. blackfamilystemcell. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.blackfamilystemcell.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Emergency-Medical-Technician-Online-Education-Options.jpg>. Mail, General, et al. “About P.A.L.” National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues,Inc. Tatem Web Design, 2009. Web. 22 Dec. 2010. <http://www.nationalpal.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=10>. Nelson, Watson, and Robert Walker. “Report Resumes.” U.S Department Of Health Education & Welfare Office Of Education, 1967. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. <http:/www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED020469.pdf>. No Drinking. N.d. flickr. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://farm1.static.flickr.com/59/167560170_4bc4e59e0d.jpg>. No smoking. N.d. blogspot. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <ttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_LjaGF3uR8FU/SUFBUARNvFI/AAAAAAAAEE0/SxlxN9eo3nU/s400/no+smoking.gif>. Nurses-group. N.d. stanbridge. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://it.stanbridge.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Nurses-group.jpg>. O’Brien, Tim. “Albany PAL gets U.S. funds , funding: $156,511 from Department of Justice will allow for
48. More Citing expansion of league’s programs.” Albany Times Union [Albany] 1 Oct. 2008: n. pag. EBSCOhost. Web. 22 Dec. 2010. <“http://search.ebscohost.com>. 1447507 H. N.d. chronicletimes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.chronicletimes.com/photos/14/47/50/1447507-H.jpg>. PB300106.JPG. N.d. jeffersoncountywi. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.jeffersoncountywi.gov/UserFiles/Health%20Department/PB300106.JPG>. Police Memorial. N.d. oneonta. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http:/www.oneonta.ny.us/government/departments/police/news_images/police_memorial.jpg>. Police Officer Carrying Children. N.d. corbisimages. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.corbisimages.com/Enlargement/DM690.html>. Resident Handbook Secure Detention. N.p.: Montgomery County Youth Center, n.d. N. pag. Print. Rouse, Brittany. “Pros and Cons of Juvenile Justice System.” ehow. Demand Media Inc, 2011. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/list_7207962_pros-cons-juvenile-justice-system.html>. Upper Merion TWP Police pat. N.d. blogspot. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_i-Ps4c3mQ9w/SyI-FjjCRqI/AAAAAAAABKs/vp87830tZyY/s320/Upper-Merion-Twp-Police-pat.jpg>. Urrutia, Felix A., Jr., and Rodney M. Fuller. “History.” Police Athletic League. Police Athletic League of New York City, 2008-2011. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http:/www.palnyc.org/800-PAL-4KIDS/History.aspx>. This shows the history of the league. It is very helpful because it shows how P.A.L became what it is today. vandalism. N.d. magnolia voice. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http:/www.magnoliavoice.com/uploads/vandalism3.jpg>. VisiGuard Black Mesh Pool Fence. N.d. webdirectbrands. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.webdirectbrands.com/_images/VisiGuard_Black_Mesh_Pool_Fence.jpg>. Wickliffe, Joseph A. “Why Juveniles Commit Crime.” Yale New Haven Teachers Institute . Yale, 2011. Web. 2 May 2011. <http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/2000/2/00.02.07.x.html#l>.
Editor's Notes
I chose this topic because it shows how police officers are making communities safer. Wanting to become a police officer was a difficult decision but I want a career that will serve and make a positive difference in the community. I have so much respect for police officers because they do more than protect our streets. They also guide our youths and rehabilitate teenagers who have made destructive decisions. By learning about police organizations, such as the P.A.L and DARE, I have a better understanding of a police officer’s entire job and his/her commitment to their community and its youth.
Thestatistics in this slide show why it is so important for officers to reach out to youth. Teens are often at risk for committing crimes, especially in urban areas. Officers can provide them with the structure and guidance they need to make the right choices.
-Teens can be very immature and therefore need additional adult supervision to make wise choices. Teens need constant immediate gratification and have difficulty thinking of the future. This causes them to sometimes make immature and irrational decisions. - Teens who grow up in one parent households, as well as those who parents who are not around very often, sometimes find it difficult to make wise decisions. Police Officers can make good role models for them. - Sometimes money and material possessions come into play with teens because they demanded a lot and want all of the things others have. They will often commit crimes to get these things.Teenagers who hang out in the wrong crowd have a greater chance of committing crimes because they want to be accepted by their peers and look “cool.”- If teens live in lower socio-economic areas, they observe crime constantly and therefore are more prone to mimic the behaviors.
Through community organizations, such as PAL and Dare, police officers can prevent teenagers from getting involved in crime. PAL and DARE are preventative programs. Juvenile Detention Centers also help teenagers but not in a preventative way. They rehabilitate those who have committed crimes and need to be reintroduced into the community.
PAL’s mission is to keep young people out of trouble by channeling their energies into recreational and athletic programs. It is directed at helping urban youth.- The establishment of playstreets, junior police, crime prevention bureau, twilight athletic league, and junior police athletic league have all contributed to the creation of PAL.
IN 1914, the police commissioner of New York City, Arthur Woods,instructs Police Officers to seek out needy in their precincts. He had concern for poor children who lived in congested tenements with no safe place to play. He believed if kids had a safe place to go during their free time, there would be less of a chance for them to get into trouble. Woods organized a city-wide search for vacant lots which he made into playgrounds. He called these areas, playstreets. The main purpose was to “reduce the temptations of wrongdoings by keeping children off the streets and by giving them a chance for wholesome play under proper supervision”
Around the time Woods opened the playstreets, Captain John Sweeney of a low precinct in New York created an organized recreational program for boys ages 11 to 16. The members attended meetings, took part in track, swam in public pools, and played in baseball games. Sweeney wanted to develop a positive relationship with the Police and its community’s youth. He wanted to help support the values of a proper American citizen.
In 1929, Police Commissioner Grover A.Whalen of New York City wanted to addressissues about juvenile delinquency. He believed, ”The trouble-making boy of today would become the hardened criminal of tomorrow.” To prevent this crime from happening, the police department focused on the youth in the city and creating positive recreation for them.
In1931, a Crime Prevention Officer takes interest in a group of boys and forms Twilight Baseball League.The whole community gets involved and donates material and labor to build a full baseball field.The popularity grew and when basketball and football was added to the organization it became the Twilight Athletic League.
In 1932, the Junior Police Athletic League extended from the Twilight Athletic League. The Crime Prevention Bureau was concerned that boys during the Depression period needed more guidance. So rather than just creating baseball leagues, they added sports like boxing and football. They even started a basketball’s team. Big shots in the community such as Babe Ruth and Police Commissioner Edward Mulrooney, were the overseers of the league.
The Police Athletic League was finally created in 1936.Junior memberships were available at ten dollars and adult associate members sold at one dollar each.P.A.L starts to work with the Board of E education and Police Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine.They receive a list of 5,000 truants in an effort to enroll the children in P.A.L programs. The programs focus on police officers providing recreational activities for troubled youth in the cities.
Throughout the 1930s, P.A.L starts to rapidly grow. It is supported by the Working Progress Administration staff.P.A.L had 70,000 junior members in 1937 and had 69 indoor centers.The faculties were dedicated to officers who died in the line of duty. Recreational actives continue to grow and begin to include arts and crafts, aquatics, dancing, dramatics, kindergarten, nature study, trips, and special events.
-From the 1990’s-2011 the P.A.L Board of Directors took a leadership role in raising 40 million dollars in order to build new state of the art community centers. Money from this campaign was also used to build recreational facilities in the South Bronx, Harlem, and South Jamaica. - We also have a branch of PAL in Philadelphia. It is made up of 27 different branches and helps over 26,000 boys and girls throughout Philadelphia. PAL facility operators are always Philadelphia Police Officers whose only job is to run these programs. All PAL Centers are open Mon-Fri after school (3 p.m. -9 p.m.) and throughout the summer.
- D.A.R.E stands for Drug. Abuse. Resistance. Education. Its mission is for police officers to teach young kids methods on how to avoid drugs, gangs and violence. DARE creates programs where officers reach out to students in schools at a young age. Many times, DARE is a young child’s first encounter with police officers. They teach lessons on how to identify the dangers of drugs and how to avoid getting into crime.
Becausethe program involves law enforcement and education, both have to form an agreement in order for the program to be ran at a local school. To demonstrate an agreement, a letter must be signed by the chief of police( or county sheriff) and the superintendent of the school and then sent to D.A.R.E America (The whole organization) stating why they want the program in the local school. The program will go into affect when officers complete their instructional training.
The curriculum of the organization is broken up into three levels of schooling: Elementary school, Middle school, High school.- In the elementary setting, the following themes are addressed; purpose and overview of the D.A.R.E program, Tobacco and You, Alcohol and You, Putting it Together and other. -The middle school curriculum focuses on the theme, Keeping it Real. The lessons targets kids between the years 12-14 and is designed to have kids analyze the risks of substance abuses, helps improve decision making and resistance strategies and teaches how to avoid a situation where drugs are involved. In the high school curriculum lessons revolve around reinforcing positive skills teens should know when facing a difficult situation. It also helps students to recognize and cope with anger issues without hurting themselves or leading them into to violence or the use of alcohol and drugs.
The D.A.R.E program was introduced to Upper Merion in 1997 taught by the police department and was a successOfficers that are still with the program today are Sergeant Charles Zadroga, Officer Patrick Krouse, Detective Andrew Rathfon, and Officer Brandy Faherty.
-Officers in juvenile detention centers are well trained to work with youth.-The juvenile detention center benefit youth offenders because they have a good chance of receiving rehabilitation to prevent future crimes.Its for kids who have committed crimes under the age of 17 The Juveniles are placed in the detention center’s with kids their own age making it a safe environment
-Has only 48 beds because it is a short term juvenile facility.Ages range from 10 to 18 are placed there to await for their Juveniles Court Hearings Youths are provided with 24 hour supervision and all their basic needs are taken care ofJuveniles are provided with education, recreational activates while in a safe and secure environment - When a child is detained in the Youth Center only a Juvenile Judge can release them The center is divided into two sections: juvenile detention program and shelter program
Twelve bed unsecure shelters that are for kids who have committed minor crimes, runaways, have truant behavior problems or have been physical or sexually abused if foster care is not available They also offer schooling year roundThey are allowed to wear their own clothing Are allowed to participate in ground community outings supervised by counselors
Maintains 36 beds that hold 36 delinquentsThey attend school year round Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pmHave recreational activates during breaks in the evening, such as working out and playing basketball Are supervised by counselors at all times so they stay safe and secure
When detained you must attend school Mondays- Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Teachers create daily school actives and report the child's school progress and behavior to the Judge or Probation OfficerThey also offer tutoring service in the evening Monday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Listening to a staff member is an important rule that must be followed. If they argue or refuse to listen to a staff member it will keep them from earning privileges and will result in receiving consequences.-They have to be able to get along with the other juveniles and socialize in an appropriate manner because it will reflect their level of maturity. Getting into arguments or fights will make their stay more difficult.All detained youths are expected to use appropriate language in the facility. There is zero tolerance for cursing and name calling. Also being able to control their anger is important because they are not permitted to act out or cause a disturbance. Any Youth Center property misused or damaged will make their stay at the facility for unpleasant. Juveniles will be charge for any damage caused - They are all required to keep their rooms clean and orderly. The staff checks the rooms daily to make sure rooms are clean. Juveniles are responsible for the conditions of there rooms and anything found in it. Staff can search rooms if they feel its necessary.
-RookieLevel: they have access to use of radio, T.V, table games, use of the gym and limited outdoor activates at staff permission. In order to advance a level they must go three days without restriction and have to know ten basic rules. A rookie is last to shower and their bedtimes are earlier.-Conditional Citizen Level: Shower before rookies and bed times are 10:00 p.m. during week days and 11:00 p.m. on weekends. If they receive three restrictions within a week their level drops back to rookie.-Full Citizen Level: Has conditional citizen privileges, can do outdoor activities if they are given staffs permission, they can become apart of the resident employment program and can use free weights. They can shower before all conditional citizens but if they are given 3 restrictions they drop to rookie. -Citizen Two Level (Red Shirt): The Juvenile is given an evaluation sheet by a caseworker or counselor if they pass they become a Red Shirt. Their bed time is 11:00p.m. for the entire week, they shower before everyone else, can listen to music and are aloud out of there room during quiet time. -Representative Level: Only a few select juveniles have outstanding overall behavior and attitudes. They strive to have a positive relationship with staff and peers, and want to make a constructive changes in their life.
The Youth Center provides many various indoor and outdoor recreational activities such as playing team sports in the gym or outdoors, weight room, the lounge. In the summer the pool is also available
All new detained youth’s are examined and given a physical by doctors and nurses. If they feel injured or sick they have to tell a counselor so he or she can arrange to meet with a nurse.If they take prescription medication the nurse will give they’re dosage daily. If the juveniles hide medication or give to a peer they are considered in serious violation of the rules.
For the first part of my application I volunteered as a tutor at a P.A.L in Norristown and recorded a journal of the several days I was there. I worked with students kindergarten through 12th grade. Many of these kids did not have a place to go after school or had a parent to help them with their homework after school. Those involved in the tutoring were volunteers – many of which were students from Cabrini College. It was nice to see people use their own time to help kids in urban areas succeed in their classes.
This journal example shows how I devoted time to a 6th grader struggling in math. I wanted to help him gain a good understanding of a subject that he needs to learn. The tutoring service in P.A.L helps kids who struggle by working with them until they grasp the concept better. I was connected with this method of tutoring because I also struggle to understand certain topics when it comes to math. With the extra support, I also have been able to learn and perform better in math.
For the second part of the application, I took a tour of the Montgomery County Youth Detention Center with the Assistant Director Joe Viti on the 17th of January . I was shown the juvenile court where all the hearings take place, Joe’s office and he explained what he does in the facility. He is in charge of enrollment and the operations and staffing of the center. We then traced the steps a young juvenile would take as he/she entered the facility: 1.) They are first brought in by the police and are then passed on to the guards of the facility who make sure they are processed in the detention center so that Montgomery County Youth Detention Center has record of the child. 2) They are then required to hand over their everyday clothes with anything that they had on them and must shower. 3.) They must wear uniforms and then they are led to their rooms. 4.) They are later introduced to their teachers and the activities they are permitted to take part in. 5.) Finally, they meet with the therapist who will determine their emotional and social needs.
I felt observing the facility was a great learning experience to see what happens when teens have already committed crimes and how police help get them ready to re-enter society. It looked less threatening then I had pictured because it did not have a prison type setting. It was also interesting to learn what my cousin job was like and it really showed me how well the detention center is run.
