KPS STUDENTS EDUCATED ON LAWS

Kalamazoo, Mi:
On several dates throughout this semester, concluding on Monday, June 9, 2008, officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) visited some area Kalamazoo Public Schools to educate hundreds of students on laws that may have an impact on them.  Topics covered included gun, moped, bicycle, and pedestrian laws; curfew, trespassing, and excessive noise ordinances; gang avoidance; and conflict resolution. Information was also given on summer programs in the City of Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation 2008 Summer Fun Guide.  Feedback confirmed that the students at all of the schools learned new information.

The Project Sentry presentation was used to cover the gun, gang avoidance, and conflict resolution components.  Project Sentry is a federally funded grant through Project Safe Neighborhood, which seeks to increase youth awareness of the consequences of involvement in gun violence, through education and enforcement.   

Project Sentry presentations given by Community Policing, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET), Operations, and Kalamazoo Township Police Officers were done at Maple Magnet Middle, Milwood Middle, Hillside Middle, and Phoenix/New City High School. 

Community policing includes educating citizens, and being proactive to prevent criminal activity. This method of policing is effective for both crime prevention and building positive relationships between the police and the community. KDPS is committed to community policing and to the reduction of youth violence and other criminal behavior