Deputy Mayor Margarita Muñiz, Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray, Essex County Chief of Detectives Anthony Ambrose, Acting Police Chief Sheilah A. Coley, Fire Director Fateen A. Ziyad, Fire Chief John G.Centanni, Members of the Municipal Council, and other dignitaries held a graduation ceremony for 40 Newark youth aged 10-14 from the City of Newark’s first-ever Youth Public Safety Academy, on Thursday, August 11, in the Municipal Council Chamber in City Hall. Each academy participant was presented with a certificate of program completion during the graduation ceremony.

 

The Youth Public Safety Academy was a joint project of the City of Newark’s Police and Fire Departments in conjunction with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The mission of the program was to educate participants about each agency’s primary functions and operations, with hands-on instruction and tours at training sites of the Police and Fire departments and the Prosecutor’s Office. Program participants learned how to report crimes, resist gangs and gang activity. They also learned how to prevent fires at home.

“I commend our Police and Fire Departments and our Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for supporting this important initiative to empower Newark’s youth. I am proud of all of our young graduates today who manifested personal excellence by learning what they can do as our city’s future leaders to make our city safer,” said Mayor Booker in a statement.

 

“We believe the young people who graduated today will leave this program better equipped for life. In the short time we have spent with them, hopefully, we inspired some to consider careers in law enforcement and others to simply consider how to become successful in whatever endeavors they pursue in life,’’ said Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

 

“This new program not only benefits our youth, but our entire community as a whole. Arresting drug dealers and gang members are only temporary solutions in our efforts to improve our City. We must unite as public safety agencies to engage our youth, to make them part of the solution to crime and violence. I commend all the partners on building this important program and our first Youth Public Safety Academy graduates for completing this program,” said Acting Director DeMaio.

 

The students who participated in the first Youth Public Safety Academy were enrolled by the North Ward-based Just One Soccer League and the South Ward-based FP YOUTHOUTCRY Foundation. Each organization provided 20 students.

 

“I am so excited that these young Newarkers have completed our first-ever Youth Public Safety Academy,” said Deputy Mayor Muñiz. “They learned so many valuable life lessons about personal safety, fire prevention, gang resistance, and career choices.”

 

“This is a great program for our youth.  I know that all of our graduates have better judgment today as a result of their first-hand experience with Newark’s best public safety experts.  I am grateful to all those who contributed to making this program a success and providing a more secure and safe future for Newark’s next generation,” said Council President Payne, Jr.

 

Students were picked up Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8:15 a.m. and transported to the class site, which varied from week to week. The program included field trips to such sites as the Police Department’s Firearms Range, Fraternal Order of Police Museum, the Fire Department Training Academy, the Essex County Crime Scene Unit in Orange, and the Greater Newark Conservancy, where they also participated in a Green Project with WNBA New York Liberty basketball team players at a chosen location. The children received free breakfast and lunch through the City of Newark Department of Child and Family Well-Being’s (SuNup) Summer Nutrition Program.

 

“When you have children at such an impressionable age, it is great to have three agencies providing this educational program in a safe environment. It will give them positive influences on how to deal with conflict resolution, peer pressure and personal and home safety. Our youth need to be educated in these areas. When they have that void, they become vulnerable to their environment and negative pressures,” said Police Capt. Susan Williams, who is coordinating the program through the Police Director’s Office.

 

As part of their fire safety training, the students participated in a demonstration on the use of a fire extinguisher, learned about the dangers of arson, learned about the requirements of becoming a firefighter, and were given an orientation of the use and job function of different fire apparatus.

 

Fire Director Ziyad said, “This class has been instrumental in giving our City’s youth exposure to public safety careers and they now have a greater appreciation of the training our firefighters have to go through. I applaud our entire public safety team on developing this important program”

 

“Youth are often at great risk in times of fire,” said Fire Chief Centanni. “During their time at the Fire Department Academy our fire instructors taught them about the dangers of fire and how to prevent fires in their homes. I am proud of their accomplishment in completing this program.”

 

During the ceremony, three of the graduates shared their experiences and reflected on what they learned while attending the Youth Public Safety Academy.

 

“I learned that firefighters do more than just put out fires.  They save lives.  I learned that when there is a fire and smoke is in the room to get down on the floor and crawl your way out.  I also learned how to put out a fire with a fire extinguisher, but you should just get out and call 911. To be a fireman you need bravery, skill, and courage.  I would like to thank the Newark Fire Department for risking their lives for us,” said 12-year-old Scott Bamberg Jr. of the North Ward.

 

“During our time spent with the Prosecutor’s Office, they taught us that joining a gang, doing drugs, or committing crimes are not the answers to solving problems.  Assistant Prosecutor Debra Fryer explained to us that something as simple as spreading rumors and posting inappropriate photos are not only mean, but a crime called cyber bullying,” said 11-year-old Central Ward resident Janayah Jenkins.

 

“I would like to be a Newark police officer now after participating in this program,” said Danny Gonzalez, age 14 of the North Ward. “Being a part of this program taught me so many different things. Police officers should be thanked and praised everyday for their bravery, heroism, and leadership.”