It was Summer’s last hurrah for over 150 New York City students as they ventured to 1 Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan for a fun day at the annual Back-To-School-Bash hosted by the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau and the NYPD Guardians Association.
Besides the giveaway, the youngsters got to participate in an array of activities like the NYPD game truck, the NYPD rock climbing wall, face painting, and a round of double-dutch. The Police Athletic League provided a soccer and football practice wall where the future Lionel Messis or Troy Aikmans showed off their athletic skills.
The kids also had a chance to check out the NYPD High Patrol motorcycles and meet some of the NYPD’s four-legged cops: Freddy, a 7-year-old canine with NYPD Emergency Services, and eight-year-old Mustang Jack and his partner, 18-year-old draft cross Talts of the NYPD Mounted Horse Unit.
The event’s sponsors included the New York City Police Foundation, SoundThinking, Wapsie Valley Express LLC Olin, Municipal Credit Union, Emblem Health, and the Community Police Relations Foundation, which donated backpacks and school supplies like notebooks, folders, and pens. L&J Events provided free popcorn, snow cones, and cotton candy.
And to ensure the students looked sharp on their first day of school, Eagle Barbers gave some kids a new haircut.
Adika Roberts, a high school teacher at Eagle Academy, told amNewYork Metro that the academy offers career and technical education (CTE) programs in barbering. He brought two of his top students who gave the kids a free haircut.
“It’s all about giving back [to the community],” Roberts said.
Mark Stewart, deputy commissioner of NYPD Community Affairs, told amNewYork that the NYPD’s main objective was to help families in need and ensure the kids were prepared for school. While some parents might be too proud to ask for a “handout,” Stewart emphasized that NYPD officers made sure to let them know that the NYPD was there to help to get the kids ready for school.
“You know what? You can see their appreciation when they talk to us. We’re all family, all community, [and] we’re here to help you,” Stewart said.
NYPD Community Affairs Det. Michelle Jones has been organizing the event for the past three years. Jones explained that many kids attending the bash come from low-incoming housing, live in domestic violence and family shelters, or have special needs. Jones firmly believes everyone deserves a new beginning, especially kids, and she wants the students to start the new school year with a fresh, clean slate.
“They might have had a rough year the previous year,” Jones told amNewYork Metro. “Everything starts fresh. So I believe that if you have the tools that you need to succeed, you got a great start right there because you have the tools.”
SoundThinking, a public safety technology company that supports the NYPD with various software systems, like the acoustic gunshot detection system, arraignment process management software, and communication systems, donated backpacks for the event.
Jean Pyronneau, SoundThinking’s director of Support, told amNewYork Metro that it meant a lot to him to support the NYPD and the community.
“Aside from helping in one aspect, to ensure that NYPD helps to protect and serve the public, this is another side where we also give back to the public that we’re helping,” Pyronneau said.
Shanda Johnson runs the not-for-profit organization “The Rick Miller Foundation,” named in honor of her late father, NYPD detective Rick Miller. Her organization serves 300-400 families in low-income areas throughout New York City a month.
Johnson, who is also a crime victim advocate with the NYPD and Safe Horizon, said that the kids she brought to the event were excited.
“You know, when you have this life, and then you have this opportunity, it’s magic for [the kids],” Johnson said. “Because when you’re used to seeing the same darkness every day, and then you get a breath of fresh air, and you’re free, and your mind is not worried, they deserve it. They deserve this every day.”
Seven-year-old Stella had a fun time rock climbing, snacking on cotton candy, and petting a horse for the first time. Stella told amNewYork Metro that, at first, she was scared, “But then it felt good,” Stella said.
Regina Butler, the recreation coordinator at Jamaica Family Shelter, attends the event every year. This year, she brought 18 kids and 12 parents along, including Tess Garcia and her son, 12-year-old Jacob, who were thankful for the backpack filled with school supplies.
“We love this. Detective Jones always invites us all the time. This is a beautiful event,” Butler declared. “[The kids] have such a good time. The book bags, the food. Everyone’s so friendly.”
