The Covid Pandemic Effects Police Youth Programs
Message from William G. Parenti, Chief of Police
The Covid 19 pandemic has had an impact on many aspects of our lives. It has also had an effect on the community youth programs presented by the North Plainfield Police Department. The North Plainfield Police Department is very community oriented. Many of the community outreach programs benefit the young people in our community. Due the Pandemic many of the programs that we offer were not available in 2020.
The Summer Teen Evening Program better known at the STEP program allows North Plainfield School Children to get together and play basketball, badminton, soccer and other activities like arts and crafts while enjoying the company of other children from the community. This is the first time since 2000 that the program had to be cancelled.
The Police Department’s youth academy which has been a great success over the last four years had to be cancelled. This program has been growing since it was started in 2015 and allows North Plainfield School students to experience what it’s like to go to the police academy and provides them with thirty hours of training on what it is like to be a police officer.
National Night Out had to be cancelled for the first time since 2004. The community event draws hundreds of residents each year with fun activities, demonstrations and free food. It has been a great way for the police department and other first responders to spend time together and strengthen the bond that makes us a proud community.
When the pandemic ends, these programs will be back to continue to strengthen the great relationship the North Plainfield Police has with the community.
