LTC 237-2008 Kindergarten Cops Programa+ 11AMIBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC #237-2008 LETTER TO COMMISSION
To: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
DATE: September 16, 2008 /--(._~'
SUBJECT: Kindergarten Cops Program
This LTC is to provide the Mayor and members of the City Commission with information on a
new program being implemented by the Miami Beach Police Department's Police Athletic
League entitled "Kindergarten Cops". This program is a partnership between the Miami
Beach Police Athletic League, the Miami Beach Police Department, and the Miami-Dade
Public School System. It has long been recognized that police officers and teachers are
inherent and natural role models in the community and that their involvement in the lives of
youth have a lasting positive influence. Too often, however, police officers and teachers do
not have the time to develop these roles early on and consequently, spend much of their time
dealing with the consequences after its too late. By working together during the early years,
it is hoped that this program will reduce time spent on discipline in the classroom and dealing
with crime /violence in the community. It is a goal of this program that both teachers and
police officers will be able to witness young people grow up to be productive members of our
society.
The Kindergarten Cops Program will utilize police officer volunteers who will "adopt" a
kindergarten class, which he/she will meet with once a month during the 2008/2009 school
year. These officers will receive training and follow a lesson plan designed and/or approved
by the Police Athletic League Board with input from participating police officers and teachers,
influenced by current community concerns. Topics for these classes include responsibility,
citizenship, kindness, honesty, integrity, respect, cooperation, fairness, and character
education. The Miami Beach Police Athletic League will be responsible for the funding,
coordination, and supervision of the program.
There are currently thirty-three police officers who have volunteered to participate in this
program. These officers have been assigned to kindergarten classes at North Beach
Elementary, Biscayne Elementary, Feinberg/Fisher Elementary, Mt. Sinai Satellite School,
and South Pointe Elementary School. We are confident that this program will foster a spirit
of cooperation, and help to build respectful and supportive relationships with the children we
serve.
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JMG:~Nar
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