POLICE FORM “PACT” WITH FORD HEIGHTS STUDENTS
Monday, August 3, 2009 — The Cook County Sheriff’s Office with be conducting a “PACT” camp at Camp Sullivan, 147th and Oak Park Avenue, Tinley Park, during the week of August 3 – 7, according to the office of Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart.
PACT (Police And Children Together) is a summer day camp program that is designed to foster a positive relationship between young people and police officers. Originally developed by the Law Enforcement Foundation of Illinois, the PACT camp teams police officers with area youth to participate in various recreational activities.
Nearly 50 grammar school children from Ford Heights are scheduled to attend this week-long camp. Officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department, along with prevention educators from the Sheriff’s Youth Services Department will be conducting the camp as well as serving as camp counselors.
“Participation in PACT camps helps build a trusting relationship between police and young people,” Dart said. “In addition, it encourages young people to get involved in their community and stay involved as they grow into adulthood.”
During the week the campers will participate in various activities including bowling, roller skating, and softball. They will have outings to Navy Pier, a White Sox game, the Shedd Aquarium and DePaul University for a presentation on careers in video and graphic design. They will also participate in a service project to help combat hunger, and see presentations by the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Canine Unit and Bomb Squad.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office annually conducts two PACT camps each summer, one in the northwest suburbs and one in the southwest suburbs. This third camp was added this year, specifically for Ford Heights’ students.
“The Cook County Sheriff’s Police have been the police force for the community of Ford Heights since April, 2008,” Dart said. “Students who attend this camp will have the opportunity to meet the officers working in their community in a casual setting and hopefully form positive, lasting relationships with them.”
