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YMCA And CMPD Prevent Crime With Summer Program

Crystal Hogue
/
WFAE

Crime often spikes in the summer. The YMCA and CMPD are trying to prevent teenagers from being swept up in criminal activity with a new summer program.

The YMCA plans to open three locations to teens in west, northwest, and east Charlotte on weekend evenings throughout the summer. It’s called the Summer of Opportunity and it has a few goals, to keep teens out of trouble by giving them a place to play sports and do other fun activities like art. It also aims to build trust between teenagers and police and prepare kids for school and careers afterwards. Todd Tibbits, the head of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, hopes the program will serve 1,000 teenagers this summer and says mentors will be a big part of it.

“Consistent presence of caring adults is necessary and that can be the difference between kids staying in school and kids dropping out, making healthy decisions or engaging in risky behavior.” Says Tibbits.

The YMCA is recruiting 350 volunteers to serve as mentors.

CMPD will send Student Resource Officers to interact and build relationships with teenagers.