02/20/1996 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 2/20/96 Elizabeth Wojtkin said she was happy to have had the opportunity to participate in this program -it makes her feel proud. She learned about different types of drugs and the harm they can cause. Also, Officer A taught her and her classmates the eight ways to say `2To" to drugs and how to talk out problems instead of resorting to violence. Elizabeth has made a commitment to never try drugs and to avoid violence. Mrs. Sandy Scherler from Fine Elementary School explained that the fifth grade curriculum focuses on America, especially the Constitution. As she teaches the Bill of Rights, the students have many questions about Officer A and how he is required to work within the law. From these discussions, the students gain a deeper understanding of his job and a respect for all police officers. Mrs. Scherler said that Officer A is the ideal person to help students explore the concepts of drug abuse and violence by sharing the problems and consequences of making such choices. Officer A provides strategies for dealing with interpersonal relations through roll playing activities which help the students understand that they do not have to be victimized. The D.A.RE. program gives us all a chance to show the younger generation a true non-drug, non-violent path to follow. Two of last year's D.A.R.E. graduates from Pine Elementary School spoke about their experiences with the program: Brittany Marsh said she liked D.A.R.E. because it helped kids talk about drugs and to practice the eight different ways to say "No" to drugs, alcohol and violence. Karen Lauver said the D.A.R.E. program helped her to learn the dangers of drugs and how to say "No." She hopes that D.A.R.E. will continue so that other students will benefit from the program. On behalf of Mayor Boyle, Safety Director Kasler announced the official opening of the community policing office on March 4. In 1995, the Police Department received a $150,000 COPS Fast grant to be used over athree-year period. This fiindmg allowed the department to hire two additional police officers to be assigned to community oriented policing services, or COPS. In the near future, the Police Department will be contacting community leaders, businesses and schools to foster the community policing philosophy and to enhance the qualify of life for the citizens of North Olmsted. Community policing is not a trial and error theory, but rather a philosophy that will establish a partnership between the Police Department and the community. This partnership will not be less firm law enforcement. To the contrary, it will mean a stronger enforcement by making more people aware of the avenues for help and assistance and by establishing social responsibility and respect for the law. Speaking on the same topic, Police Chief Viola said the planning for this program began in January of 1995 when Capt. George Ruple applied for the community policing grant. This is not a new concept. In 1976, the Police Chief and Safety Director attempted the same by forming the North Olmsted Community Crime Prevention Commission. It was a 2