Maplewood PD Hosts Teen Game Night

More than fifty youngsters ranging in age from fifth grade to high school and over ten officers from the Maplewood Police Department gathered in Memorial Park the evening of Friday, June 21, 2013 for a wiffle ball game, a John Madden video game competition and pizza.  The event is part of a youth engagement program headed by Detective Sergeant Albert Sally, who heads the D.A.R.E. program, and his Seton Hall criminal justice intern, Adedejic Raphel Akere.

When asked how he came up with the idea, Adedejic stated that he likes video games, he knew that others like them too, and he felt it would be a good means of generating good interaction between the police and the young men and women.  He was obviously right judging by the happy, smiling faces of everyone at the function.

Police Chief Robert Cimino states that three other programs are planned, two in the summer and one in the fall.  Then they will conduct an evaluation at the conclusion of the program, and he will report the results to the Township Committee. 

Sgt. Sally stated that the Loft Program, an after-school program at Columbia High School, advertised the event; and they organized a meet-and-greet for the police officers to explain what was planned to the students.  Not only did the students come, but their friends, younger siblings and parents also joined in the fun on a balmy, early summer night. 

Funding for the program was provided by the Police Department as well as local businesses:  Kings, Village Trattoria, Arizona Ice Tea, GiGi’s Cup Cakes, Headliner’s Barber Shop.