Are we paying cops and fireman to read to kids in elementary school?
As we have heard, FPD is down a hand full of officers and as OT would indicate that there's plenty of slots to fill in both FPD and FFD. I heard last year that the son (who's a cop in Framingham) of one teacher at one school come up with this idea. Little kids are star stuck by shiny medals and uniforms and guns. I don't like the idea of this at all and if this is creating OT for someone, then I'm even more against this feel good program. Like the now defunct DARE program, cops in our schools for other than bike safety should not be glorified.
From the Source:
The ‘Officer Read Aloud’ program
which began at McCarthy Elementary School in March of 2019, is expanding to
provide a similar experience for Woodrow Wilson Elementary School students
This expansion also adds a
partnership with the Framingham Fire Department.
Police officers and firefighters
will visit the school and read a book that was special to them as a child or
one that they have enjoyed reading to their own children.
Families were sent a letter to introduce the program and students were presented with a discussion on how to ask appropriate questions.
For the Officer Read Aloud
partnership and program, a bilingual police officer will visit the school once
per month to read to two classrooms, followed by a question and answer
session.
In an email to parents/guardians,
Principal Purnima Vadhera encouraged families to speak with their children
about the experience, ask them about the books they’re reading, and how they
feel about having this time with our local police officers and firefighters.
Literacy Coach Jacqueline Carrasquillo said she was excited to bring this important collaboration with leaders in the Framingham community.
Literacy Coach Jacqueline Carrasquillo said she was excited to bring this important collaboration with leaders in the Framingham community.
“Our hope is Woodrow Wilson students will
begin to build, and in some cases rebuild, trust with our police officers and
firefighters through this relationship building opportunity,” she said.
“Additionally, by incorporating a literacy component, we will continue to
foster the importance of reading.”
“On behalf of the Framingham Police
Department, we’re really looking forward to expanding the ‘Officer Read Aloud’
program and partnership to include Woodrow Wilson Elementary School,” said
Deputy Police Chief Lester Baker.
“Last year’s program launch with
McCarthy Elementary School exceeded our expectations. The Officers responded
positively to the opportunity to read and build relationships with the children
and we knew it was only a matter of time before we’d be able to visit more
schools and with more frequency. We (the Police Department) are really happy to
see this happen so quickly. Our Officers continue to do great work, every day,
every shift and most of it goes unnoticed. I can’t thank them enough for
their commitment to the citizens of this City,” said the Deputy Police Chief.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 2:08 PM
10 Comments
10 Comments:
So before we throw them under the bus for this, how do we find out if they are doing this on a paid shift, or volunteering?
Good question.. I just emailed the Chair of the School Committee.
I think you should be asking the chiefs of these departments. The school committee has nothing to do with police or fire payroll
Cops volunteering for something they don't get paid for? What universe are you living in?
How in hell can they justify this when we hear just about every week some complaint about how the police are understaffed and overworked?
Boy does this piss me off. This is not what we pay our cops to do and the fact I suspect they are doing this on overtime pay makes my blood boil. How do we find out if this is the case?
Has anyone reached out to ask the Chief of FPD and FFD about this?
it's a school committee question imo. It is centered around kids in a classroom.
I'm sure Adam will respond in his usual prompt way.
I did see a picture of cops in full uniform last year, so I assume they wear that when they are being paid to do so.
I also wonder if it's in their contract to include working in class rooms.
They wear uniforms because they are trying to show kids that cops are the good guys and I think that is a good thing. However I do share others concerns about how they are being paid and if this sort of community program is increasing our overtime costs. But I disagree Jim that this is a school issue for paying. Whatever these cops are being paid is not coming out of the school budget I am sure, it is coming out of the police budget so that is where you will get these answers.
I'm pretty sure, in the school budget is money for resource officers to be at the schools, but I'll check on that as well.
Of interest is the fact that fines collected from handicap violators are given to FPD to enforce parking regs in handicap space.
This from the Mayor's office:
The Framingham Disability Commission has provided funding through the HP Fine Account to the Framingham Police Department to increase their enforcement of vehicles parked illegally in Handicapped Accessible Parking spaces during the upcoming 2019 Holiday shopping season.
The increased enforcement program runs from November 23, 2019, to December 31, 2019. The enforcement program will also run at various times in 2020.
My question is what about the parking enforcement officers... do they not ticket HP violators? Seems like they (FPD) should be ticketing as part of their normal duties.
I've asked for two years now why that money has to go to FPD and how much it is.
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