BGE Spends $100K To Strengthen Relationship Between Police & Youth

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Strengthening the relationship between Baltimore youth and police. BGE has announced plans to invest more than $100,000 in a program encouraging positive interactions between officers and students.

Tracey Leong reports it's already proving to be a success.

These cops and kids aren't going to let a little rain dampen their new bond.

"After a whole six or seven hour day of great friendship and building relationships that the police and the kids want to continue this relationship as they go back into their own communities," said Darryl de Sousa, Baltimore police.

The Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound School brought youth and city officers together to mend broken relationships and shift negative perceptions with team-building activities.

"Youth come in thinking police are aggressive and racist and rude---and vice versa for the officers---and those have dramatically changed by the end of the program," said Ginger Mihalik, Outward Bound School.

BGE made a three year, $105,000 commitment to support this program.

"This is a very effective program. It's changing the lives of children, police and breaking down barriers and we are proud to be a part of it," said Justin Mulcahy, BGE.

The police youth challenge is proving to be successful and in high demand---especially as Baltimore works to restore peace and recover from last April's unrest.

"After the unrest, it scaled up dramatically to serve the entire police department so we have gone from 360 students per year to 6,000 cops and kids," Mihalik said.

Demonstrating the need for this invaluable community investment.

The program first started in 2008 and operates throughout the school year.