Summer Events

Dear Supporter,
I hope everyone is managing to find ways to enjoy their self during this cool, wet, summer. I am beginning to wonder if we are even going to have a summer. I am making the best of summer, getting a lot of time with area children who are out of school and enjoying time up to camp with family and friends.

Occasionally, someone glancing over our photos or a list of our youth programs will ask me questions like…… Do you think it is worth it with these kids? Do you think Police Center Programs keep any of these kids from committing crimes? Do you think you ever, really, turn any of these kids around? Before answering the question I find myself stumbling for the right words. How do I describe the expressions of joy, laughter and excitement I have witnessed on literally thousands of children’s faces over the years of working with city families? And how do I explain it in a couple of sentences when I need an hour to properly answer the question? The short answer is yes, yes and yes. The long answer starts with the reminder “They are children” their social level, race, IQ, parent’s behavior and sometimes even their own bad behavior should not influence our commitment to help them. I don’t have huge expectations of transforming their lives during the short amounts of time I spend with them. Rather, my expectations are of myself, that I might enrich their lives in a meaningful way. Sometimes this results in children choosing to finish school or obtaining a career in Law Enforcement. Often it results in a more positive opinion of Police (not of all police but at least some). The one thing our programs always produce is good memories. Memories of a time when adults (Police and civilian) focused on making a child’s life a little bit brighter. I have many experiences of children and adults who years later shared stories about a past trip or Police Center Party. The sharing of those memories (with adults who were once children) reminds me of the awesome privilege God has given me to reach out to these kids. Yes, it is worth it. Yes, it keeps some kids from committing crimes. And Yes, it turns some kids around.

This past week I received two quotes from friends of mine, one on Twitter and one on Facebook.
“Children are always the future…invest everything you have in them”.
The Soul is healed by being with children”.
I have found both to be true. Sorry, I don’t know the authors.

Our free breakfast and lunch program is well under way with 30 children coming in for breakfast and 60 children for lunch. We are in need of soap, trash bags, paper towels and toilet paper to help us with the program.
Our Summer Fishing Trip to Black Lake is this weekend July 24-26. If you are interested in helping us out with the trip you may help in any of the following ways:
· fishing poles, lures, life jackets, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.
· Bait, worms, minnows
· Food, drinks, snacks, paper plates, bowls, cups, napkins, paper towels
· Clothing, water shoes, towels.
· Gas cards – we will be using a lot of gas for vehicles to transport everyone to camp, for the boat and the ATVs.
· Monetary donations for food, gas, fishing equipment and any other expenses for the trip. Checks may be made out to Northside Community Police Center Fund.

Our Picnic with the Police and Fire Department is scheduled for Thursday 13 August (Rain date Friday 14 August). This is a big event serving nearly 1,000 people. We need lots of help. If you or one of your employees would like to volunteer, please contact me.
Items needed for the picnic are hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls, drinks, ice, snacks, napkins, paper plates, cups, photo paper and ink (to print our photos for the kids), game prizes, face paints etc.

This is a community picnic; please encourage your employees to stop by for lunch. Bring your families out for a fun time. If you or your employees come to the picnic have them find me and I will get meal tickets so there is no waiting in line at the sign up table.

I am truly grateful for the support we receive from you folks who have been faithful to our programs over the years. The lives of thousands of young people have been touched in a positive way because of your support. Thank you, for caring enough about the families we serve to give of your time and resources. Together, we are making a difference.

Sincerely,

James K. Clarke
Police Officer
North Community
Police Center

Pheasant Program Cover/Food Plot

I spent the weekend along with some helpers planting a 1/2 acre cover/food plot for The Pheasant Program. The Pheasant Program at the Police Center provides area children the opportunity to support the Department of Environmental Conservation's Pheasant-Rearing and Management Program. Area youth volunteer time in the raising of the pheasants; which are raised in large netting pens at Jamesville Corrections Facility. Adults and youth spend time preparing the netting pens, feeding and watering the newly hatched birds, the placing of blinders on the birds in July (to prevent them from fighting) and the release of the pheasants onto public lands from late August to October. Each trip to the pens (for feeding or blinders) or to the woods (to release the birds) is an exciting time for the children.

One of the biggest predators of the pheasants are hawks. The hawks perch on top of high trees or circle high in the sky over the fields where the pheasants often feed. Once the hawks spot a pheasant they swoop down and try to catch them. This year I thought I might try planting a half acre of corn near where some of the pheasants are released to see if the pheasants use it for food and cover. The tall corn stalks shield the pheasants from the sharp eyed hawks and offer the pheasants a food source. If I find the pheasants use the corn plot, I may plant more plots in release areas next year. An additional benefit is that I planted sweet corn rather than cow corn. Once the corn is ripe I will bring a group of kids up to pick some corn to bring home and we will fish in the pond while we are there (another fun outing).

The DEC's Pheasant rearing program was on Gov. David Patterson's chopping block. People often do not realize the amount of free labor and services (feed, gas for transporting the birds to release sites, etc.) which sustain programs such as the pheasant program. Nor, do they realize the positive impact it has on the folks (young and old) who participate in raising and releasing the birds (during the weekdays prisoners at the Correction Facility care for the birds). And I haven't even gotten to the sportsmen for whom the program is intended. Yes, many of the birds may end up in a hunters pot for dinner. However, others benefit from watching or listening to the pheasants even if they don't hunt them. I don't hunt the pheasants I release but I enjoy watching them in the fall from my bow stand when they sometimes walk or fly by. This Spring while turkey hunting I heard several pheasants cackle which is an indication a few have survived the hunters, hawks, coyotes and the winter.

I am thankful Gov. Patterson has allowed the program to continue. Should he again, consider cutting the program, I hope he takes a look at all the hard workers (who are not paid a penny from the State) who support and benefit from the program.

If you would like to join the group from the Police Center on one of our pheasant outings, contact us at 471-3257 and we will include you on our next time out.

Officer James K. Clarke

Bullhead Fishing Trip

Our Spring Bullhead Fishing Trip provided the children with plenty to do. The children enjoyed exploring nature. They caught frogs, turtles and plenty of bullheads (over 100). The frogs and turtles were released after close examination by each of the children. The bullhead were cleaned and each of the children had their share to bring home for a meal. Boating, canoeing, swimming, riding the four wheeler and sun bathing were all part of the weekend activities. Both nights were a little too breezy for a fire to make smores. The bullheads were keeping us too busy anyways. It was a great weekend and I enjoyed myself as much as the children. Allowing them the opportunity to experience the outdoors is a real treat for them. The children ask so many questions and often make the funniest comments when exploring along the lake. Thank you for helping make this trip possible.

Thank you,

Officer James K. Clarke

Easter Party 2009

Our Easter Party was fun for all who attended. We had plenty for families to eat. They filled up on hot dogs, hamburgers, boiled eggs, chips and drinks. Eggs were provided for everyone to color. The Easter Bunny spent a lot of time mingling with the children. We put together 375 Easter Baskets for children.

We took lots of photos, which are up on Flickr. If you would like to get a better feel for the fun families had, click on flicker over to the side, select our Easter Photos, view them in a slide show. We include the good photos and some poorer ones too. Children go online while at school and look for their photos. Even a blurry photo is exciting for them if they are in it. Thank you, for supporting our events for area families.

Thank you,

Officer James K. Clarke

Children's Easter Party

Dear Supporter,


The Police Center Mailing List consists of 1,000-1,200 addresses. Our mailings have served as a way to keep you informed of the various programs offered at the Police Center. Over the years a small percentage of you have become actively involved with the Police Center and have been crucial to the success of our events. In addition, some of you have been a source of encouragement by your phone calls or notes praising our efforts. There are a much larger percentage of people who receive our mailings but we have not heard from them. This allows us to wonder if our letters are being read and enjoyed or being discarded as junk mail.


With the cost of each mailing almost .50 we are not being good stewards of our funds or to our environment if the mailings are being discarded rather than read. Therefore, we will be making an effort to cut back our mailing list. If you are on our list and we have heard from you in the past year, don’t worry, you will remain on our list. If we have not heard from you and you would like to remain on our list, simply call or email us with your name and address and we will keep you on our list.


Updates on our programs are also available via our website http://www.northsidepolice.com/ & blog seen from the north side. If you sign up on our blog, you will receive an email notification every time we make a new post to our blog. You may also view, download and print photos from our events by clicking on the Flickr link.


Our next big event is the Easter Party on Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 5:30pm. We will be offering an earlier Pre-Party Event at 4:30pm for the families of our supporters. Please, feel free to bring your family in to participate (please call in advance with the number attending).
We are anticipating over 300 children to color Easter Eggs, visit with the Easter Bunny and receive a free Easter Basket. We also, provide food and drinks so, families don’t have to prepare a meal at home. If you are interested in helping out, we could use the following items:

• Hotdogs, hamburgers, rolls, chips, ketchup, mustard and drinks


• Eggs (lots and lots of eggs) and coloring kits (deluxe kits, make their own designs)


• Easter Candy (we need lots of candy) and Easter Baskets or buckets


• Paper plates, cups, napkins and paper towels


• Monetary donations (enable us to purchase needed items)


• Volunteers to assist with cooking, serving, egg coloring, set-up and clean-up

We are always looking for ways to help families. I was recently approached by an individual from MassMutual Financial Group. I was informed of a free Life Insurance program called LifeBridge. It’s a $50,000 Life policy to be used for the educational expenses of children who suffer the loss of the insured parent. Some requirements for eligibility are:

• Between the ages of 19 and 42;


• Currently employed (either full or part time) with a total family income between $10,000 (minimum) and $40,000 (maximum);


• The parent or legal guardian of one or more dependant children under the age of 18;


• A permanent, legal resident of the US;


• The only family member who has applied for the LifeBridge Program; and
  In good health as determined by MassMutual’s underwriting guidelines.
  

A MassMutual Representative will be at the Easter Party to assist anyone who is interested in completing an eligibility form. If you know someone who meets the eligibility requirements encourage them to come to the Easter Party and apply.

Another event we will be holding in April / May is our Annual Bullhead Fishing Trip. We take area children to my camp on Black Lake for a fun-filled weekend of fishing. The children have a great time and we always catch plenty of fish. If you would like to help we could use the following items:

• Food for the weekend (eggs, bacon, bread, milk, cereal, juice, meats, potatoes, vegetables, snacks, soft drinks, paper plates, cups, napkins, paper towels, etc.


• Fishing poles, line, hooks, sinkers, worms, minnows, etc.
  
• Lantern fuel, mantels, propane, etc.


• Monetary donations for transportation and any other needed items.

If you have any questions on our events please call our office at 471-3257.

I have received many visits, calls and emails concerning my Mom’s health. Thank you, for all the support and prayers. Mom went through her 2nd chemo treatment for her liver cancer. She is in good spirits and talking about bullhead fishing. I am looking forward to taking her fishing.

Officer Clarke

Syracuse Police in 2009 St. Patrick's Parade

Syracuse Police march along the parade route.

Syracuse Police march near Clinton Square.

(With apologies for the video quality.)

Be sure to check our Flickr site for more photos from the Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade 2009!

Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Saturday, 14th March, is the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Parade begins at noon with the route starting at S. Salina St. and Erie Blvd West, ending on S. Salina St. and W. Onondaga St.

Looks like tomorrow will be a nice day (sunny 43-46 degrees), not bad when compared to some of the past years. So, get your families out for a fun time and enjoy the parade.

The Syracuse Police Department will be towards the very front of the parade. I plan to march in the parade tomorrow. If you are on the west side of S. Salina St. be sure to give a shout out if you see me pass. 

More importantly, give a loud shout out to all the police and fire fighters as they march past. We are fortunate to live in a community with some truly dedicated public servants. Be sure to let them all know you appreciate them by giving a loud shout out as they pass. 

Hope to see you there.

Officer Clarke