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Tigard Police Put Focus On Youth

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	City of Tigard 13125 SW Hall Blvd. Tigard, Oregon 97223	Press Release December 1, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact:	Jim Wolf, Public Information Officer Tigard Police Department Phone: 503-718-2561 Pager: 503-795-2391 Email: 27047@tigard-or.gov

Tigard Police Put Focus On Youth

Many residents have come to appreciate the efforts that the police place on maintaining a healthy climate for the youth of the community. Tigard Police place significant emphasis on Tigard's' youth because they know the importance of building a strong foundation for a community has direct correlation to all age groups. Providing a working support mechanism for the youth entails not only support, but also requires enforcement. Tigard Police strike a balance with both by dedicating a core group of officers, including a Youth Service Officer, as well as three full time School Resource Officers to assist with community and department goals.

Every year the Tigard Police provide a D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T summer camp to Tigard youth to illustrate that positive and healthy activities can be had without drugs, violence or gangs. Throughout the year this message is carried even further with the D.A.R.E. and G.R.E.A.T. curriculum instructed in Tigard Schools. Once again, Tigard Police Officers carry this message to the youth in Tigard to encourage healthy friendships and making positive choices.

In addition to the positive programs to foster good citizenship amongst the youth in the community, Tigard Police also offer an alternative diversion program for youth offenders. The emphasis here is to bring the youth offender back into the community and become responsible citizens. Tigard can boast a success rate unmatched by other areas in the region. Our success is measure by an almost negligible reoffend rate. Once again, clear indication that a desired outcome can be achieved with commitment to a goal.

Tigard Police also support the P.A.L. (Police Activities League) program that recently began an after school program for middle schoolers to provide them an opportunity for safe and constructive activity during a proven vulnerable time of the day. In addition, Tigard Police offers Tigard youth other direct opportunities such as self-esteem workshops, volunteer opportunities and other positive relationship building and positive role modeling activities.

Tigard Police believe the foundation is set. Experts tell us that you need to support that element before any overall success can be achieved. Tigard Police...we're here for you.