2021 COMBAT Funding: $75,000.00

In The Sugar Creek Police Department's Own Words

The Sugar Creek Community Violence Prevention Police Officer is an all encompassing role model and teacher for a majority of youth programs specifically applied to students in the two elementary schools in Sugar Creek. This encompasses the youth who live in Sugar Creek and Independence, Missouri. The programs emphasize outreach to young men and women between the ages of 6-13.  

Features of the 1st grade DARE curriculum include:

• 8 lessons delivered approximately once a month during the course of the school year.
• Lessons all run 15-20 minutes.
• Lessons promote interaction between students and teachers .
• Lessons feature teaching posters to help the student visualize the lessons being taught.
• Lessons offer students the opportunity be asked questions and provide responses to promote learning.
• Curriculum uses a series of teaching posters.

Lessons: The DARE curriculum consists of 8 lessons designed to be taught in 15-20 minute segments. The lessons are designed to promote interaction between the students and teacher. The lessons provide the students to be asked questions and provide response to promote learning. 

Each lesson includes a teaching poster and an informative paper to take home with the information on what was learned during the lesson. The informative paper allows the students the opportunity to discuss what they learned with their family. 

Features of the S.T.E.P. (Students Transitioning Exceptionally Prepared) curriculum include: 

• 4 lessons delivered once a quarter during the course of the school year.
• Lessons run 45-60 minutes.
• Lessons romote interaction between students and teachers.
• Lessons offer students the opportunity ask questions and be involved in their own learning.
• Curriculum uses a series of power point presentations, including videos.
• Preparing students, primarily fifth and eighth graders, for the transition from elementary and middle school to middle and high school.
• Students will be educated on issues they may not have encountered and how to handle those new experiences.
• Students will be instructed on the negative effects of bullying and cyber-bullying. Not only how it could have adverse effects on the victims of the behavior, but the repercussions to those who display the behavior.
• Students will be given instruction on the various ways to effectively manage conflict resolution.
• Drug, Alcohol, Youth Smoking/Vaping prevention education will be provided to students.
• Students will be exposed to the definition of Cyber-crimes, including sexting and sending nude photos, and the legal ramifications that can result if they are sending or possessing such material.
• Students will be instructed on the policy and procedure changes that will directly affect them in transitioning from elementary and middle school.

Program elements in addition to the 1st grade DARE curriculum and S.T.E.P. curriculum: This is currently an active program in the City of Sugar Creek. The program will be accomplished by: 

1. Performing School Resource Officer Activities at the schools located within the boundaries of the City of Sugar Creek (Partner-Independence School District Signed MOU).
2. Perform preventive directed patrols in designated high crime areas.
3. Receive public complaints related to suspected criminal activity. Assume a preventive role, deter crimes and provide information to the community.
4. Act as a role model for youth, including coaching "Let Me Run" and "Girls on the Run."
5. Conduct enhanced "anti-bullying" training at area schools.
6. Perform directed patrols in specified high crime areas as assigned.
7. Conduct truancy checks and maintain a working relationship with schools in the boundaries of the City of Sugar Creek.
8. Obtain certification and training to act as a (specific and limited) SRO (School Resource Officer) as well as a C.I.T. Officer (Crisis Intervention Team Officer).
9. Conduct Community Meetings to receive complaints and answer citizen questions.
10. Conduct Business Meetings to receive complaints and answer business owner/manager questions and concerns.
11. Act as a liaison between the municipal court and first-time offenders forwarded for diversion programs.
12. Act as a liaison between community mental health/addiction programs, staffing services (for offenders on diversion from the municipal court, Sugar Creek Community Development Corporation, Sugar Creek Citizens Civic Relief Commission, Sugar Creek Parks and Recreation Department.
13. Assume crime victim advocate responsibilities at municipal court if necessary.
14. Participate on Board of Jackson County Youth Court
15. Coordinate transportation for first time offenders to court and or job interviews.
16. Maintain a working relationship with "lndeBus", KCATA, and local cab companies.
17. Regularly update detective and command staff on activities to avoid "blue on blue" situations. Ensure an orderly flow of communication. Debrief officers regularly.
18. Facilitate meetings in the community as needed.
19. Develop and act as Coordinator for additional Citizens Police Academies in Sugar Creek when and/or if time allows.
20. Enhance "active shooter" scenario training for the schools located in the geographic boundaries of the City of Sugar Creek, Missouri.
21. Become involved with the school(s) Parent Teacher Associations (PTA)
22. Perform various tasks when necessary not specified in job description.
23. Assist the school counselor with a 5th grade program for Red Ribbon week to include a hands on demonstration with the departments intoxication goggles and drunk carts.

Addressing Three Types Of Violence

Domestic Violence - those with repeated reports will be the top priority on deciding if the family violence is part of a financial, mental, or substance abuse issue that the police department can provide resources to those in need.

Violence involving weapons - those who determine it necessary to carry weapons to use against innocent men, women, and children will be at the forefront of the Sugar Creek Police Department's concerns.  Attempts may be made to perform "call ins" of those who perpetuate violence with weapons to explain how their actions will negatively affect the perpetrator, his or her family, and the community as a whole. The perpetrator may receive notice that failure to comply with the warning given to them, will result in vigorous prosecution.

Violence involving drugs - those who carry and use drugs and who have no prior history may be offered the one-time opportunity to be forwarded to the first-time offender program, instituted by this program, in cooperation with the municipal prosecutor. This will provide the opportunity for those who need "that second chance" in life, to succeed and be a productive member of their community. 

Programs

The following programs will be used to help our program be successful: 

• Let Me Run
• Girls on the Run
• S.T.E.P. program modules
• D.A.R.E. modules
• providing a School Resource Officer(s) to have a positive law enforcement role model for the students
• Community Violence Prevention: giving access to offenders that need a helping hand by providing contacts to temp agencies.

Our expected out come of the program is to foster relationships where the youth encountered feel comfortable with reporting incidents that occur. We expect the youth will be kind to one another and treat others as they want to be treated and make good decisions; thereby reducing violence, incidents of bullying, and drug use.