About Us
Youth Survey
Calendar
What You Can Do
Our Programs
Our Partners
Resources
Media
For Parents Only
For Kids Only
Photo Gallery
Contact Us
FAQ
Home
MEDIA:
CDT Communities That Care article series:
September 3 - Family Meetings.pdf
August 27 - Media Influences on Values.pdf
August 20 - PATHS, Article II.pdf
August 13 - PATHS Article I.pdf
July 30 and August 6 - Trusting Relationships.pdf
July 23 - Depression and Suicide Prevention.pdf
July 9, 2008 – Positive Opportunities for Summer Fun.pdf
July 2, 2008 - Attitudes Towards Underage Drinking.pdf
June 25 - Catch The Reading Bug!.pdf
June 18, 2008 – Internet Safety.pdf
June 11, 2008 – Alcohol-Free Graduation Celebrations.pdf
June 4, 2008 – From Screen To Green.pdf
MAY 28, 2008 – Impact of Loss on Children and Families.pdf
MAY 19, 2008 – Prevention of Substance Use.pdf
May 12, 2008 – Transition, Mobility, and Neighborhood Attachment.pdf
MAY 5, 2008 – Media Influences.pdf
April 28, 2008 – Bullying Prevention.pdf
April 21, 2008 - CTC® Effectiveness.pdf
April 14, 2008 - Protective Factors.pdf
April 7, 2008 – Talking To Your Teen.pdf
March 31, 2008 – Family Bonding.pdf
March 24, 2008 - Underage Drinking.pdf
March 17, 2008 – CTC® Principles.pdf
Below are links to student designed
CTC Prevention Posters
(Please click the
images to view the posters in full size)
Poster contest winner with CTC Key
Leaders
Other Newspaper Articles:
Kid's Day Events Provide Time For Families To Bond - September 19, 2007
CDT Kids Day Article September 19 2007
PSU Study Finds Why Teens Use Alcohol - December 17, 2007
CDT Article on Centre County Substance Use December 17 2007
P-O Link With Group Aims For Good Behavior - Centre Daily Times Article March 13, 2008
Caring About Issues That Affect Children & The Entire Community - Centre Daily Times Editorial March 16, 2008
Summer 2004--Press Release--Kids Day (pdf)
2003 -- Press Release -- Grant Received (pdf)
August 2003 -- Press Release -- Kids Day (pdf)
January 2003 -- Public Issues Forum -- When to Build Jails and When to Build Lives (pdf)
March 2003 -- Public Issues Forum -- Ending Youth Violence (pdf)
July 2002 -- Press Release -- State Grants Target Risky Youth Behavior (pdf)
April 28, 2000 -- Press Release -- Community Survey Designed to Target Daily Perils Faced by the Region's Youth (pdf)
March, 2004--COMMUNITY-ORIENTED POLICING WORKS - by officer Greg Koehle,
State College Police Department
The State College Police Department is an agency dedicated to
incorporating the community policing philosophy throughout the
department. In June of 2003, the COPS Office of the PA Chiefs of Police
conducted 6 full days of training in
community policing philosopy and concepts to all officers, supervisors
and civilian personnel. The following is one officer’s account of how he
is working to make his neighborhood safer by building police community
partnerships through problem-solving and citizen participation.
It is my responsibility to maintain contact with the resident managers
at three low income housing units in State College, Centre County,
Pennsylvania. Those managers have asked for our help, as they are losing
their responsible tenants and witnessing the increased crime in their
community. In addition to growing a relationship with the unit managers,
I meet with the tenants, especially those actively involved in the newly
established Neighborhood Watch Program. Finally, I review each call for
service to this area as we continue to develop a plan addressing the
needs of this community within a community.
This project was originally initiated due to the inordinate amount of
calls to these housing units. The calls for service ranged from
burglaries and aggravated assault to loud music complaints. The domestic
disputes were on the rise as well. Continual police contacts were not
having a deterrent effect. A review of the contacts from January through
August 2003 revealed that four tenants in a 100-unit complex accounted
for 62% of all calls.
We learned from the resident managers that the only people moving out
were the “good” tenants and that their reason for moving was the problem
tenants. In addition, tenants were even requesting early outs from their
leasing, citing these disruptive tenants. So, our first step was to work
with the resident managers and HUD to remove the problem tenants.
HUD has very strict guidelines regarding lawful behavior with severe
consequences for failing to adhere to these rules. After being called to
the same residence twice in one week for a domestic dispute between
mother and adult son, I contacted HUD and brought the situation to their
attention. They opted to cut funding to the adult son.
A goal of this project is to reduce crime by instilling a sense of
community in the housing units. A Neighborhood Watch Group was initiated
in order for the police to meet the residents, as well as provide the
residents an opportunity to get to know each other. To date we have had
two meetings. Our participation rate is approximately 45%, which is
about average. We have been able to provide a lot of information to the
residents about crime, and they have been quite helpful in providing
information on problems.
For example, many residents complained that juveniles loiter in the
parking lots. We made contact with the juveniles about the complaints
received. They responded that they have nothing to do, and they were
right. Our response was to enlist the Youth Service Bureau’s Streetworks
Team, a program which falls under the Centre County Youth Service
Bureau. The Streetworks Team is funded by several different agencies.
They were initially funded by a federal grant, but also receive funds
from the United Way and the Centre County Drug and Alcohol Office.
This team has facilitated activities approximately twice a week. The
activities range from rock climbing and basketball to drug and alcohol
resistance education and life skills. Several of the juveniles have been
assisted in applying for part-time employment and have since obtained
jobs. The Youth Service Bureau would like to expand their services
because they are only active in one of the housing units, although they
are limited by funding. We are currently exploring options for a
police-sponsored fundraiser for the Youth Service Bureau so that they
may expand their services. If this goes well, we will probably continue
it on an annual basis.
It is very early to provide specific statistics, in terms of specific
crimes. What I can say is that since this project was initiated, we have
experienced less calls for service, the resident managers are pleased,
and most importantly accordingly to the residents the quality of life is
improved.
Officer Greg Koehle can be reached at the State College Police
Department, 243 South Allen Street, State College, PA 16801, or at
814-234-7150.