The New York Field Office Community Outreach Program (NYO COP) was involved in several community programs during 1999 including appearances at Community and Senior Citizen Centers throughout New York's five boroughs, Long Island, and Westchester. Career seminars, health and safety events, street and community fairs, and individual precinct Community Councils were also visited. In addition, the NYO COP was represented at each of New York's five boroughs during National Night Out on August 3, 1999. This year's event will be held on August 1, 2000, and the New York Office will be fully represented.
Youth Programs
Once again this past year, tours of the New York Office were conducted for various youth groups including Boy Scouts, Explorers, and high school classes. The demonstration of how the New York Office Operations Center works during emergencies (such as the TWA Flight 800 crash and the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Center) proved to be the highlight of the tours.
FBI programs were presented to youngsters through liaison with organizations such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Walks of Life. Walks of Life, which is run by the Greater New York Hospital Foundation, places an emphasis on introducing youngsters to the workplace early in their lives. This program has been proven to have a great impact on children who, at this point in their lives, are wavering between a productive lifestyle and that which is dangerous and unproductive.
This year, through the COP, the New York Office joined forces with the Drug Enforcement Administration in the sponsorship of, and participation in, a Law Enforcement Explorer post. The response of the members of the post and its leaders to FBI participation has been overwhelmingly positive. It is anticipated that FBI participation in this worthwhile program will continue.
During July, 1999, over one hundred inner city youths spent a week at Camp Smith, a military camp located in the mountains of Peekskill, New York. On July 7, 1999, several NYO employees volunteered as mentors and friends, explaining and stressing drug deterrence, safety, the importance of education, and how law enforcement can play a positive role in their lives. Guest speakers from various industries, the military, and other law enforcement entities to attend. The program included a demonstration by the New York State troopers who amazed the kids with a "rollover" vehicle in which were seated two crash dummies. The kids learned about the importance of using seat belts and how they can save lives. Minority motivational speakers/mentors talked to the group about how each of them can realize his or her potential and become a success in business and in life. "FBI DAY" at Camp Smith has become an integral part of the COP in the New York Office. This year's event will be held on July 12, 2000. Additional mentors and speakers have been added to further enhance the program.
Throughout the Summer of 1999, Special Agent Rick Berger represented the FBI at six of the eight Harmony Picnics sponsored by the Community Affairs Division of the New York Police Department (NYPD). Held in parks throughout New York City's boroughs, these events brought together youths from Scout and Explorer groups, camps, Police Athletic League Associations, etc. The picnics provided recreational activities designed not only to get the kids off the streets, but also to demonstrate that the law enforcement community does not represent a threat, but rather a positive force which can join with youth for the betterment of the community. Once again, during the Summer of 2000, the New York Office will be represented.
Schools
During 1999, school appearances continued to be the focal point of the NYO's COP. In light of the size of New York City, it is virtually impossible to visit all of the city's public schools, not to mention the many private schools which have expressed an interest in having a visit from the FBI. In an attempt to broaden the scope of schools visited, several "new" schools were added to the NYO's schedule while others previously visited were put "on hold" for the time being. In addition, several new volunteers were recruited for the school visit program. As a result of the many school shootings in the recent past, special attention was paid to topics such as guns in the hands of youngsters and violence in video games, movies, and music. Internet safety was also discussed and the role of parents in the Internet safety process. In order to remain "in touch" with the current problems in schools, on November 9, 1999 Special Agent Rick Berger attended a seminar entitled YOUTH AND VIOLENCE: A SEARCH FOR ANSWERS. This symposium, which was opened with an address from Attorney General Janet Reno, touched upon several topics related to the causes and prevention of violence in today's youth population.
SA Rick Berger with his "little partner" named Jedgar (JED).
The Junior Special Agent and Adopt-A-School Programs have continued in popularity. To date the New York Office is sponsoring thirteen Adopt-A-Schools. Both Agents and Support personnel are taking part in this program. Special Agent Berger continued this year to present programs to the younger students by using his ventriloquist figure JED. The students in the lower grades respond to this approach with great enthusiasm because it prompts them to ask questions about the FBI and leads them into discussions on non-violent behavior and the avoidance of drug use. JED works in conjunction with the New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer who serves as the official McGruff Crime Dog. Once again, during 1999, the concept of an FBI-NYPD Community Outreach Joint Task Force continued a series of presentations, including one on drug awareness, the FBI's role in society, and the FBI as a career. Audience participation was encouraged during all presentations. Most gratifying was feedback indicating that several young people are considering a career in law enforcement and, in particular, in the FBI. The Joint Task Force is continuing in the year 2000.
McGruff the Crime Dog visits New York City school children.
During March 2000, SA Berger appeared at a career forum to give a presentation on careers in the FBI and to explain the COP to both students and parents.
June has been a busy month for NYO COP. On June 1 and 2, 2000, SA Jennifer Hale-Keenan led her Adopt-A-School on a field trip to Washington, D.C. Serving as chaperones for the sixty-eight students were ten SAs from the NYO. The group toured Congress, FBIHQ, and Quantico. SA Berger represented the NYO at the Westbrook Farms Annual Picnic for special needs children, on June 3, 2000. On June 10, 2000, in a cooperative effort between the NY and Newark Divisions, the Community Outreach Specialists from both divisions attended an event sponsored by "10,000 Mentors," a Newark-based group dedicated to enriching the lives of inner-city at risk youth.
During the upcoming summer of 2000, the NYO COP will be represented at several events being sponsored by the NYPD. In addition to the NYPD Harmony Picnics, are the NYPD Youth Police Academy and the annual Law Enforcement Exploring Academy at Fordham University. During the past ten years, the NYO has assisted the Bronx Community Board #6 with its annual "Not In My Neighborhood You Don't" anti-drug rally. Once again, the NYO will participate in the event to be held on June 16, 2000. It is an opportunity for law enforcement to interact with kids and discuss not only the pitfalls of drug use, but the advantages of staying in school and obeying their parents and teachers.
As evidenced by the aforementioned list of COP activities, the NYO continues in its efforts to become as possible in a wide variety of programs in the New York area and has all intentions of continuing in this vein.
