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Chelsea police expand 'Build A Base' youth program to younger teens
Summary
Chief Hutton and Officer Damian Stray described the growth of the 'Build A Base' fitness and mentorship program and announced plans to shift focus to 12–17 year olds with a newly assigned officer to lead the effort.
Chelsea police leaders used the All‑America City celebration to highlight youth outreach work and outline an expansion of a fitness‑focused mentoring program. Chief Hutton described shifting department resources from detective work into community services and said the department will expand its program for younger teens. "Now we're gonna call it begin the base. We're gonna have a new officer assigned, and we're gonna target those 12 to 17 year olds and do the same thing and make that interaction," Chief Hutton said, describing the planned focus on earlier interventions.
Officer Damian Stray, who started the program at the local high school, said Build A Base began as a small idea and "has grown into something extraordinary," crediting police leadership, the city and community partners. Stray said the program emphasizes athletic fundamentals, mentorship and giving youth a constructive outlet. The remarks positioned Build A Base as a sustained city effort rather than a short‑term pilot; no new city budget or formal program ordinance was announced in the transcript.
