Page 37 - FY 2025 Adopted Operating Budget and Business Plan

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Build Unity

Goal 1: Implement Strategies to Eliminate Racism and Other
Forms of Discrimination and to Advance Unity in Arlington
Objective 4: Address Policing and Criminal Justice Disparities
Project Performance Measure(s) Department(s)
BU Unity Council Recommendation – Volunteer and Participation Police
1.4.1 Youth Investment Programs Hours
Summary:

In the last several years, the national media has
highlighted stories showing the lack of trust between
communities, especially the youth, and their police
departments. Nationally, youth mentoring programs
consisted with effective implementation of the
st
President’s Task Force on 21 Century Policing offer
promising approaches to building trust. The department
st
is one of 15 cities selected to participate in the 21
Century Policing program to serve as a model of
community policing for other police departments. The
department continues to be focused on youth
engagement and has increased programs to directly
engage youth.

The following programs in the department dedicated to
increasing youth engagement:
• Police Explorer: Program aimed at giving teens
exposure to law enforcement careers through
competition headed up by local law
enforcement officers.
• Police Activities League (PAL): Youth crime
prevention program that uses recreational
activities to create trust and understanding
between youth and police officers.
• Coach 5‐0 Program: In partnership with AISD,
officers assist in coaching athletics and
regularly attend students games.
• Mentoring Arlington Youth (MAY) Program:
Mentoring program for middle school students.
• Hometown Recruiting Program (HRP): Based in
AISD high schools, this program relies on
volunteers from the department to assist in
real training scenarios for future APD officers.
• Geographic/Community Partnerships: Providing
neighborhood‐centric opportunities allows for
communities to tailor education and
mentorship activities within various areas of
the city. Partnerships with groups like AISD
Elementary School Mentoring and the Boys and
Girls Club of Arlington are examples of such
partnerships.

FY 2025 Adopted Budget and Business Plan 28 City of Arlington, Texas