CRIME PREVENTION NEWS

 

Lieutenant Dan Minton

Quincy Police Department

Crime Prevention Unit

One Sea Street

(617) 745 5719

mailto:dminton@ci.quincy.ma.us

 

The Quincy Police department’s Crime Prevention Unit oversees many community-based programs.

This year, the following programs are being held or plan to be:

 

QUINCY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT POLICE ACADEMY

NORTH QUINCY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT POLICE ACADEMY

“GOALS” STUDENT POLICE ACADEMY

CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION PROGRAMS

BICYCLE SAFETY PROGRAMS (2ND AND 3RD GRADERS)

STRANGER/DANGER PROGRAMS (2ND AND 3RD GRADERS)

INTERNET SAFETY PROGRAMS (4TH AND 5TH GRADERS)

ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAMS (6TH GRADERS)

MIDDLE SCHOOL “EARLYBIRD” BASKETBALL PROGRAM

HIGH SCHOOL DRUNKEN DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM/SEMINARS

“RAD” HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS

“RAD” COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

SENIOR CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY (11 PER YEAR)

ASIAN SENIOR CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY (CANTONESE)

WELCOME TO QUINCY PROGRAM

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH/ CRIME PREVENTION SEMINARS

WARD/PTO/COMMUNITY CENTER EDUCATION SEMINARS

BOAT SAFETY

“HOTSPOTS” AND “JOB WELL DONE” QUINCY SUN COLUMNS

SAFETY FAIRS AND SAFETY DAYS

PROJECT LIFESAVER

PROJECT H.E.L.P.

 

 

 

North Quincy High School Student Police Academy and

Quincy High School Student Police Academy:

 

Police Officers go into the high schools and present topics to the students.  This program helps students determine if law enforcement is a field that they may be interested in pursuing.  Police Officers and students interacting helps break down communication barriers and promote better understanding.  There are field trips to prisons, police academies and tours of the police station.  Each student is required as part of his or her curriculum to participate in a “Ride Along” on either a Friday or Saturday night to see “the job” in person.  Safety is priority for the students.  There is also a K-9 Unit demonstration.  Some topics covered:

 

 

 

 Some topics covered:

 

 

GOALS PROGRAM:

The GOALS program is an alternative high school education for students who have had difficulty in high school.  Police Officers speak at this program with a focus on improving relations and in helping students who may have had a brush with the law.

Many of the above courses are selected.

 

 

CHILD CAR SEAT INSTALLATION PROGRAM:

The Quincy Police Department, conducts child car seat programs two to four times a year, usually on a Saturday morning.  Due to the demand, installation is by appointment only.  Please allow 45 minutes per car.

 

 

BICYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM:

Police Officers go into the 11 elementary schools and 3 parochial schools to educate all second and third graders on bicycle rules, regulations and safety concerns.  There are times when the Police Officers provide free helmets to those in need. 

 

STRANGER/DANGER PROGRAM: 

Police Officers educate elementary school students about the potential dangers of people who may approach them.  The officers provide scenarios and courses of action to take. 

 

INTERNET SAFETY PROGRAMS: for elementary school students, focusing on grades 4 and 5, guiding the students through the dangers of the Internet.  Police Officers discuss situations and actions that should be taken to prevent being victimized.  

 

ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM: This program works with Guidance Counselors and Teachers at the sixth grade level of middle school, in a five part presentation: the bully, the victim, the by-stander, the schools and the law.

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL EARLYBIRD BASKETBALL PROGRAM:

In 2005, the Crime Prevention Unit tried this as a pilot program.  The first five weeks were aimed at girls in the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade.  The next five weeks were reserved for the boys.  Although there were play-offs and champions crowned, the program stressed relationship building between the police and the students, between students of varying grades and getting students involved in healthy activities.  Evaluations were held by the school to determine the success/failure of various programs.  The Earlybird program received high grades from the students.  In 2006, the program expanded to three middle schools.

 

DRUNKEN DRIVING EDUCATION PROGRAM/EDUCATION SEMINAR:           

The students will learn about the impact of alcohol on a driver, then witness an accident simulation by a local college drama club, with Quincy Police, Fire and Ambulance responding.  A local Funeral Home will also be involved.  After the scenario, the students will return to the auditorium where they will hear from a prisoner, convicted of vehicular homicide, as well as the Superior Court Prosecutor in charge of OUI/Homicide cases. 

 

RAD HIGH SCHOOLS PROGRAM:

This will be a pilot program for early 2006, to be offered in the City’s two high schools.

The focus will be on female seniors who are going away to college.  Being away from home, most likely for the first time, and vulnerable to new surroundings, this program will compliment the student’s preparedness as they go on to their next challenge.

 

RAD COMMUNITY PROGRAM:

Police Officers, who are trained in RAD (radically changed defense for women) teach this program to women only.  The RAD objective is “to develop and enhance the options of self defense, so they may become viable considerations to the woman who is attacked.” The course, which meets for four sessions, begins with classroom instruction and expands to hands-on tactics.          

 

SENIOR CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY:

Since 1990, this academy has presented various courses to residents living in the 11 senior complexes.  Each four-week program meets once a week for two hours and the subjects change each year.  Ward Councilors are invited during the final week, along with the K-9 Unit.  Some of the courses offered:

 

 

 

 

ASIAN SENIOR CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY:

Similar to the Senior Citizen Academy in content, the presentations are done in Cantonese as much as possible.  The most recent class graduated 75 seniors.

 

WELCOME TO QUINCY:

This program strives to make the City’s Asian population welcome to the city.  Police Officers lecture, through interpreters on basic safety measures.  Guest speakers are available based on the need and interest of the particular group.  Topics presented in the past have been pedestrian safety, seatbelt and child car seat instruction, and “911” systems and services.  Safety pamphlets are also translated into many languages.

 

 

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH/AFTER-INCIDENT SEMINARS:

Although the City is very safe, there are cases where residents request assistance from the Police to resolve a problem.  The Crime Prevention Unit or the Community Policing Officer for that particular ward will meet with residents to create a plan to prevent crime from re-occurring.  There are also isolated cases where a serious crime has occurred and neighbors seek reassurance. The Crime Prevention Unit, working with neighbors and other agencies, assesses the situation and creates a plan of action to resolve the problem.

 

 

WARD/PTO/COMMUNITY CENTER EDUCATION SEMINARS:

Police Officers, under the direction of the Crime Prevention Unit, offer information in their field of expertise at community meetings.  Home security, personal safety and child safety are examples of topics presented in the past.

 

BOAT SAFETY:

This course is available to all ages interested in learning about safe boating.

Instruction is provided by the Quincy Police Marine Division.

 

“HOT SPOTS’ AND “JOB WELL DONE” QUINCY SUN COLUMNS:

On a weekly basis, the Crime Prevention Unit provides a full page of information about “hot spots” of crime that occurred in the city for the past week.  The “Job Well Done” column reviews a recent police incident, describing the efforts of the officer(s), the citizen’s involvement and safety tips that may pertain to the case.  Officers are praised for their good work and citizens, who give permission, are recognized for “getting involved.” 

This information can also be accessed on this website

 

SAFETY FAIRS AND SAFETY DAYS:

The Crime Prevention Unit represents the Police Department at many fairs and safety programs, providing information and handouts on a wide range of issues.  

 

PROJECT LIFESAVER:

Teaming up with the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office, Project Lifesaver is part of a national program to locate and rescue missing persons who have wandered due to Alzheimer'’ or related conditions such as autism or Down Syndrome.  Electronic monitoring is used to track those enrolled in the program.

 

PROJECT H.E.L.P.:

This program, created by Quincy Police Dispatcher Carol Flynn, is available to all who have memory problems or have a tendency to get lost.  This free program makes it easier for the Police to locate a person who is missing.  This simple program requires a photo and application, to be used only if the person has been reported missing.