Visiting Perth Amboy Schools
YOUTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35
“When you walk into that classroom and you have 30 kids
sitting on the floor, you’ll see half in there smiling and very excited,” Renshaw described. “Then you’ll see the other half. They
are very nervous. You see they’re scared, some of them crying.
They’re very uncomfortable because they just don’t know.”
But, once the walls came down, the fun and connection really began. Heck said his favorite moments involved seeing big,
alpha male-type cops sitting on tiny tricycles to talk with “mesmerized” kids. Then there was a group photo on a Perth Amboy
playground.
“Every one (of the kids) had just a huge smile on their face,”
Heck added. “It was an amazing photo,”
Renshaw and Heck proudly acknowledged the positive feedback the visits received. While the kids sent drawings and thank
you notes, school officials offered praise and return invitations
for future classroom time, they said.
In the bigger picture, Renshaw believes the program fits into
his goals of unifying the membership and boosting morale.
Specifically with the school trips, it provided a breather for officers who face the negative side of life every day. One female
officer summed it up best for Renshaw.
“She said, ‘It feels so good to walk out of there and see them
understand that they don’t need to be afraid. It’s the best feeling in the world,’” Renshaw recalled of the conversation. “That
made me feel good coming from one of my officers. It’s a breath
of fresh air to do something outside of what we do every day.
Added First Vice-President Sean Sprich: “In our business, we
don’t do a lot of outreach or get out working with the public a
lot. (With the) negativity we deal with on a daily basis, it’s nice
to counteract that with something that’s actually enjoyable
with children.”
The early results have been very encouraging based on the
municipalities, school districts and other law enforcement
organizations in New Jersey that have contacted Local 105 to
learn about the program.
“It’s gone viral,” Renshaw said. “It’s gone above and beyond.
It’s overwhelming in a good way.”
And, it fits into the Local 105 board’s goals: Impact the community in a positive way while bringing the members together
in the spirit of volunteerism. Beyond the schools, members can
contribute to a toy drive at the December meeting. Everything
collected will be delivered to kids at Ronald McDonald’s House
locations around the state in time for Christmas.
Renshaw also emphasized the importance of recognizing
his officers’ efforts, which is why plans are coming together for
Local 105’s “Blue Christmas” party in Atlantic City on Dec. 16.
From a blue carpet entry and professional photo opps to a live
band, Renshaw sees the event as a thank you.
“It’s all about giving back to the members,” he asserted.
“They’re the ones who deserve the credit. We want to make
them feel important and let them know they don’t go unnoticed.” d
Visiting Jersey City Schools
36
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ NOVEMBER 2016