Blan PD starts youth outreach program

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The Blanchester Police Department is proud to announce the launch of a new youth outreach program for 2016. “Operation Idle Hands” is an effort by the police department to connect youngsters looking for summer or after school work with those looking for help of that nature. Here’s how the program works:

• The police department has posted a bulletin board in the police station entryway which can be accessed without entering the police station. The bulletin board will be divided into two sections: “help wanted” and “work wanted.”

• Cards will be provided that will be labeled “Help wanted.” Any adult can come to the police station and complete a “Help Wanted” card and post it on the bulletin board. These cards will have the name and phone number of the person to contact, as well as a general description of the work available.

• Cards will be provided that will be labeled “Work Wanted”. Anyone aged 12-17 can come to the police station and complete a “Work Wanted” card and post it on the bulletin board, as long as they have their parent’s permission. The card must be signed by a parent. These cards will include the name and phone number of the person wishing to work (or their parent’s name and phone number) and a general description of the work the person is looking for.

We hope this program will help youngsters in our community find a productive and profitable use of their free time, as well as give them an opportunity to build good character by learning the value of hard work and the value of a dollar. We also hope to help bridge the generation gap between the youngsters in our community and our older citizens who often have little opportunity for interaction.

Some may question why we have set this program up in such an “archaic” way instead of using an internet blog or electronic bulletin board. The reasons are simple: we want people to take the time to consider this before they participate.

It is sometimes too easy to get on the computer and type in information without considering the commitment being made. Taking the time to come to the police station and complete a card should encourage people to fully consider their commitment to this program before signing up. This set-up also discourages the mischief that is so often present in online settings, in which it is very difficult to monitor participation and avoid anonymous insults or “crank” posts.

Also, some senior members of our community may not be fully versed in or able to utilize the internet.

I wish to make it absolutely clear that, through this program, the police department is merely facilitating an exchange of information. The Village of Blanchester and its police department are not responsible for accidents or injuries suffered by anyone participating in this program and are not responsible for the conduct of people performing the work or the quality of the work performed and do not guarantee the quality of work performed or the fitness of any particular person to perform it.

The police department does not screen anyone posting a “help wanted” notice, nor those seeking work, and we strongly encourage parents to meet with and familiarize themselves with any person who might employ their child prior to entering into any sort of agreement for work.

Operation Idle Hands seeks to connect youths looking for work with employers.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2016/03/web1_idle-hands-cr.jpgOperation Idle Hands seeks to connect youths looking for work with employers. Courtesy photo
Connects those seeking part-time or summer work with employers

By Scott Reinbolt

Blanchester Chief of Police

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