Clinton Youth Police Help Community
Help Our Community: Donate to the Food Drive
Huskies Helping The Community
Sergeant Sepega (since retired) founded the program to provide law enforcement outreach for youth in our town. He understood that there were at-risk students who could benefit from the program. He hoped that the group would provide them with a sense of community. He had also recognized that not all students participate in after-school sports or other after-school activities. Today, the Clinton Police Youth Group is open to any high school-aged student, who resides in our town. Our agency also has a strong relationship with community members and Clinton Human Services, who help support this program financially.
Currently, Sergeant Spencer Mangs (7 years in Youth Group), Officer John Harkins (2 years in Youth Group), Officer Lorenzo Lombardo (2 years in Youth Group), and Officer Brian Corbin (6 years in Youth Group) mentor the group. Ultimately, the students are the ones who make this entire program happen, since everyone shows up whenever there is something planned. This group has made such progress this year with new members who wanted to sign up. They have received a lot of help from everyone, making this group workout to help out people in need.
One of the group members, freshman Brooke Lawlor, shared why she decided to join the group. She said, ¨I’m just sort of interested in the law enforcement field, and I also thought it would be good for community service hours. I love the cops too. They are so fun.¨ Joining the group gives students ideas on how to help the community. In the beginning of the year, Officer Corbin gave the group a tour of inside the Police Department. Students learned about everyone’s position and how all the equipment works. They provided information on how they work there.
The students participate in our food drives at various grocery stores in our community), diaper drives (Bare Necessities), food distribution (Shoreline Food Pantry), and cleanup at the Clinton Town Beach. During the summer, the members help on the beach by picking up garbage in big trash bags. On Easter, the group makes Easter egg baskets for many kids. They work as a team to finish all of them. During the winter, there is a lot of help needed, especially because of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Youth group mostly helps out in the food pantry that’s right in front of the Clinton Town Hall.
Students receive a reward as a thank you for helping. Students meet at the Clinton Police Department to choose where they want to go as their reward. The entire group can make suggestions before the students vote for their first choice. Whichever choice has the most votes, wins. Some places the group has gone to are Dave & Busters, Six Flags, Go Karting at the Foxwood’s Casino, and lastly Jordan’s Furniture (IT).
Interested in joining? Look for an email during the beginning of the school year. Students can not join in the middle of the year, unless they talk to Officer Corban to see if they have space for someone new.
