By Anthony F. Irwin
The Fullerton Police Department has teamed up with the school district and parks and recreation officials to dissuade young people from joining gangs or doing drugs.
Called Fullerton Lifting Youth (FLY), the program was founded by Sgt. Mike MacDonald, who passed away. It was originally intended to replace the decommissioned but popular DARE program.
In a classroom setting, children are taught the repercussions of getting
involved with drugs and violence. They are also taught the benefits of conflict management, respecting others, and avoiding the persuasive powers of peer pressure.
By stepping up as role models since MacDonald’s passing, Officers Lucia Maturino and John DeCaprio hope to steer children from ages 8-14 away from a life that ends all too often either in jail or too soon.
“It was really a shame when DARE was stopped” said Maturino “It was doing a great job teaching kids how important it is to make good decisions. And students seemed to respond very well to officers in that setting. We knew something along those lines would continue to be effective.”
DeCaprio has developed that prowess after decades as a DARE officer. He’s had former students recognize him in the field, now as many as 20 years or more removed from his classrooms. “They have children old enough for me to teach!” DeCaprio said.
Maturino praised her partner for his ability to connect with the students: “It takes a special officer, one who genuinely cares for the well-being of those he mentors.”
While the program is young, both officers say they have seen great improvement in the students they teach.
There are multiple instances of children recognizing either DeCaprio or Maturino, running up to the officers, and giving examples of how the program has improved their decision making.
The FLY program has given classes in numerous elementary schools in the Fullerton district: Maple, Orangethorpe, Richmond, and Woodcrest have happily worked with the department since the program’s inception.
This year was the first that junior high school students were taught as well. Nicolas Junior High opened their doors to allow at-risk students continued, positive interaction with police officers.
DeCaprio on the importance of a positive relationship between student and officer: “For the most part, kids either have no interaction with officers or the relationship is a negative one at these ages. It’s absolutely crucial that at-risk kids can have positive rapport with us.”
One exercise Maturino and DeCaprio use is a worksheet that serves as an unofficial contract between the students and their teachers. In it, the children give reasons why they promise to stay free from drug abuse and violence:
“Because I want to (be) a good person and (get) a good education and get a good job and not go to jail,” wrote one student.
“Seems like great reasons to me,” says Maturino.
