Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Franklin Township police report highlights free food distribution, youth clubs and career fair
Summary
Police representatives told the Human Relations Commission the department runs free community programs including monthly food distribution at First Baptist Church, a youth chess club starting March 19, Read Across America school visits and participation in a March 11 career fair for prospective law‑enforcement recruits.
Franklin Township police officers reported to the Human Relations Commission on community outreach programs that include a monthly no‑questions food distribution, youth clubs and an upcoming multi‑agency career fair.
Officer Russo, reporting for the department, listed three regular offerings: a chess club restarting March 19 through the youth center, a monthly food distribution held the first Wednesday at First Baptist Church that begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until supplies run out, and participation in a career fair on March 11 that will include more than 20 law enforcement agencies at municipal, county and federal levels.
“No questions asked. People pull up with their cars. We throw two boxes of produce, vegetables, whatever we have in those boxes, and they drive right off,” Officer Russo said of the food distribution.
Officers also told commissioners about the department’s school outreach programs: Read Across America visits to elementary schools and the PACER program, in which officers regularly read to classes and answer students’ questions about police work.
The report said the department finances its own programs and that they are free to township residents. A public commenter raised concerns after seeing different fee amounts shown on a local cable channel for certain recreation programs; officers clarified that recreation department charges are separate from the police‑run programs and that scholarships are available for some recreation activities.
Other items mentioned in the police report included the Garden State Track Club 10‑miler on March 23 and a recurring community food distribution schedule.
