Yale Police coordinate multiple community outreach events during April and May

Members of the Yale Police Department (YPD) were busy coordinating several community events throughout April and May. These included another bicycle presentation, two grocery giveaways, and several Yale childcare socials—Earth Day drawings and spring flower planting.

In coordination with the Yale Latino Networking Group, the YPD gave away a bicycle to Sophia Velez, a student at Columbus Family Academy in New Haven. Sophia was recognized by many of the school’s teachers and students as a remarkable citizen. She was presented the blue Huffy bicycle and helmet along with a “Road to Education” certificate.

Helping local families, Officers Greg Swiantek, Mike Claxton, and Grace Schenkle assisted the Community Baptist Church with two of their grocery giveaways. Located on Shelton Avenue in New Haven, the church collects non-perishable food items and more from local food banks and monthly provides groceries to families in need.

The officers helped pick up boxes of donated food items and deliver them to the church. They also assisted in advertising the event, posting flyers, and helping during the event. About 100 individuals were helped through these efforts.

Surprising some of our littlest community members, Officers Swiantek and Simons and YPD Service Dog Heidi, visited several Yale childcare centers. In April, the officers and Heidi joined the children at the Edith B. Jackson Child Care Program, Inc. to create paintings celebrating Earth Day. A few weeks later, with the help of several Yale Facilities staff, the Officers and Heidi planted purple and white pansies with the children outside of the Calvin Hill Day Care Center and Kitty Lustman-Findling Kindergarten. In total, they visited six Yale-sponsored childcare centers, bringing enjoyment to all.