03-14-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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REQUEST FOR COUECIL ACTIOR DATE: February 10, 1994 Police Liaison Progreua Exhibits: Letter from Melanie DeLuca The Orono School District wants to contract with the Orono Police Department to provide a liaison officer. They are willing to pay for the service and understand we have no money budgeted to supplement what funds they have allocated. I have attached a letter from Ms. Melanie DeLuca which outlines the backgroiwd in this proposal and identifies several areas in which a liaison officer could be used to benefit the students. There are also many benefits to the police department. With this positive interaction with the students, I believe some juvenile crime would be prevented by changing the attitudes of the ”at risk" students. Initially, there might be an increase of reported crime because an officer will be more available to receive spontaneous reports from students and staff. But, in the long term, I truly believe a good liaison progreua will make the school and our community a better place to live. Many of the areas identified by the school staff as possible uses of a police liaison officer are already being done by Orono police officers on an occasional basis. We already assist social workers and assistance teams, attempt to build a rapport with the students by chaperoning various activities, and try to prevent trouble by meeting with students to quell rumors. We also do classroom presentations when requested and meet with parent groups to educate and to inform them. One benefit of this school liaison prograun proposal is that the school is willing, and eager, to pay for us to do these things on a more regular basis which should make our efforts even more effective. This is a great opportunity to further our partnership with the school to make Orono a better emd safer place for our children to grow up. Requested Action Authorize Police Chief to develop a police liaison program with the Orono School District.