The Stratford Police Activities League (PAL) sponsored and completed a one-week program called Public Safety Experience for youths between the ages of 12 and 14.
The program was held in cooperation with the Stratford Fire and Emergency Medical Services departments and ran July 7-11 on the grounds behind the police-community substation on Gregory Circle.
Fifteen youths participated in the free program, which included daily lunch and snacks.
During the week participants observed live demonstrations by the Stratford Fire Department, the Bridgeport Police Mounted Unit, the Stratford Police K-9 and Special Response Teams, and a scenario-based demonstration by Stratford EMS.
Participants also toured Stratford Police headquarters, visited the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven, and spent time as police “recruits” at the Connecticut Police Academy in Meriden.
Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour said, “To the best of my knowledge this is the first time we have ever done a program like this, and I am very pleased with how it went. “We have received a lot of positive feedback from the participants and their parents. I credit Lt. Melissa Niemiec and Officers Alec Voccola, Frank Sapione, Jose Escobar, and Robert Muschett for putting this together so quickly and many other officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, and civilian volunteers for their participation.”
“Special thanks also go out to Mayor Harkins and his staff for their support, Director Kevin Nelson and the Stratford Housing Authority for hosting us, Fire Chief Robert McGrath, and EMS Director Mike Loiz for this collaborative effort.”
PAL plans to make this an annual summer program and plans to add more activities to the program next year, according to Ridenhour.