Wall Kids, Police Celebrate Program Graduation With Picnic

WALL, N.J.—The Wall Township Police Department celebrated the accomplishments of students in town who completed its L.E.A.D. program with graduation picnics at the Oak Tree Lodge.

The picnic was for fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students at Wall schools who went through the program.

The program - and the picnic - help support the goal of keeping students safe from drugs, cyber bullying and violence, police said in a statement. The program was extended this year to include the sixth- and seventh-grade classes who missed the program due to COVID restrictions.

The graduation picnics celebrate the completion of the L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) program and gives officers time to interact with the students. At the end of the event, all classes competed for the coveted Tug-O-War trophy for best class/homeroom.

According to a L.E.A.D. website, it is the most rapidly growing drug and violence prevention program in the United States, with certified instructors in 41 states. L.E.A.D. creates true partnerships with schools by training police officers and teachers in the L.E.A.D. authorized curriculum, the program's website states.

The department, in partnership with Wall Township public schools, has been conducting the L.E.A.D. program at the elementary schools in Wall Township for the past five years to protect youth and community from the proliferation of drugs, drug related crimes, peer-to-peer cyber bullying and violence.

The L.E.A.D. program is just one of many collaborative efforts between the police department and the schools to provide a safe and drug-free environment for our children.

Mayor Kevin Orender and Committeeman Tom Kingman also stopped by to congratulate the graduating classes and interact with the students.

The L.E.A.D. officers who participated include Ptl. Fred Sprengel, Det. Ty Hughes, Ptl. David Smithman, Ptl. Karleigh Cacciatore, Ptl. Justin Hudson, Ptl. Frank Kuhl, Ptl. Mike Cacciatore, Ptl. Orin McKay, Ptl. Kevin Wagner, Ptl. Patrick Brady, and Det. Steve Swenson.