The Police Department on Tuesday launched a new program that pairs officers with students arriving at schools as the students exit their bus and head to breakfast before beginning classes.
The program, called “Bus & Breakfast Buddies,” allows police officers to offer a word of encouragement, a pat on the back or perhaps just a “hello.”
On Tuesday, officers were at GLH Johnson Elementary School. The program is being conducted by the department’s Community & Youth Engagement Unit. The officers assigned to this unit focus on crime prevention and community education, youth and community engagement, and blight and nuisance abatement.
Police Chief Scott Booth established the unit earlier this year, and since then it has been involved in community walks and a variety of youth fun events.