Lake Orion Police Reserve Sergeants Amy Fong-Kretzmer and Steven Bauer spent part of their December in Washington D.C. receiving an award at the 2007 Law Enforcement & Partnership for Youth, Crime Prevention Conference.
The award was in honor of the department’s Kids ‘n? Kops Program, which is run jointly with the Orion/Oxford Boys & Girls Club, who were represented in D.C. by Orion/Oxford Club Director Tim Dougan.
‘This award is recognizing our department and our officers who volunteer their time and talents to the youth in our community,? LOPD Chief Jerry Narsh said.
As reserve officers, Fong-Kretzmer and Bauer are non-paid. They made the trip at the expense of the LOPD foundation.
Among the speakers at the conference was baseball great Cal Ripken, Jr., who presented the ‘Badges for Baseball? program.
Many of the programs discussed were nationally known, according to Narsh.
‘Ours was very unique in that it centers around just Lake Orion youth,? he said. ‘It got some great attention.?
Fong-Kretzmer is founder and director of the Kids ‘n? Kops Program. She said the club is eligible to receive up to $20,000 in ‘seed funding? from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
After a weekend of training and presentations, the trio of Fong-Kretzmer, Bauer and Dougan drafted a strategic blueprint describing how they propose to help address crime-related issues in their local communities.
The Club and officers hope to implement an internet safety program (NetSmartz) as part of their weekly Kids ‘n? Kops program.
The program takes place on Friday evenings from 6-8 p.m.For more information about any of the programs offered at the club, please call them at (248)365-5000.
In addition to the award, the LOPD is excited about the federal grant opportunity, to be used for the benefit of law enforcement and youth crime prevention strategies.
Narsh said he has proposed a model program, developed within the framework of the North Oakland Community Coalition, which ‘will allow for a team concept in identifying addiction factors and treating youth who have been arrested for substance abuse and who fall under the purview of the Lake Orion Police Youth Bureau.?
Once developed, the program would include law enforcement, substance abuse counselors and community mental health and social workers joining together to assist in diverting youth from substance abuse.