Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the annual Public Safety Youth Academy kicked off last week. Some 35 children from the Essex County area, mostly Newark, will spend the next three weeks learning about police and fire.
“The goal of this program is to foster relationships between youth and people who work in public safety. These young people will learn about our jobs and get an opportunity to meet firefighters, prosecutors and others in law enforcement up close,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray. “We believe it is a valuable experience for the youth and for us.’’
Acting Prosecutor Murray said the program, which is offered to children between the ages of 9 to 12, is a joint initiative with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff, Newark Police and the Newark Fire Department.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura was a big hit, on Tuesday, opening day, when he deputized the children and told them they will now be able to arrest anyone except their parents.
Among other things, the students are given tours of the Historic Court House, the Police Academy, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Unit and the Fire Department. They will learn about gangs and even have fun trips to the Turtleback Zoo and the Newark Museum.
There is a graduation ceremony for the youth on Aug. 7.