Now that I am a Los Angeles Police Officer, I feel I have a huge
responsibility to the community. I want to work with the public to help
educate them against crime so that they will not become victims. Going
to neighborhood watch meetings is a good way for me to do that. I’ll
tell people to be aware of what is going on in their neighborhood and
to try to get to know their neighbors so they’ll know when the wrong
kind of people are hanging around that could cause a crime, and to
watch for any suspicious activity.
When I am out on patrol and I see some young kids hanging around doing nothing, I will stop and talk to them. I’ll try to find out why they’re not involved in some after school program or some sort of sport. I will let them know that there are a lot of programs available for them at local parks also where are their parents. Maybe I could talk to them and let them know about these programs. I’ll tell them that when they’re just hanging out they will be easy prey for gang members that try to get young kids involved with them. They might offer money or just a close friendship so they get the feeling of belonging. They might try to convince them to draw on private property (tagging) because it’s cool. This is how gang members get kids involved. I will tell them that when they do something wrong and break the law that they will get caught, maybe not today or tomorrow but eventually they will and then they will go to jail for a long time.
I will also put some hidden cameras in places to try to catch drug dealers and taggers. I feel that if we can keep kids from getting involved in gangs that it would be a start at eliminating the gangs altogether.
I will be a positive role model for youth and the public.
2008 LAPD Essay Contest Winners
In its fifth year, the LAPD Essay Contest was a huge success with hundreds of middle school students participating from the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles schools. Each of the 10 winning essays will be featured on the Department’s web site, one each week for the next ten weeks. Congratulations to all the winners and many thanks to our sponsors.
In 350 words or less, students were asked to answer, “If you were a Los Angeles Police Department officer for a day, what would you do that would have the greatest impact on the community?”
If you are interested in participating in the 2009 LAPD Essay Contest, please refer to our website, www.LAPDOnline.org in January 2009 for further information. The 2009 LAPD Essay Contest will open in February for four weeks.
The men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department salute the ten LAPD Essay Contest winners and congratulate the parents, family, and teachers of each winner who share in their joy. The Department extends a sincere thank you to our partners and sponsors, without whom this essay contest would not be possible.
2008 LAPD Essay Contest Partner: Univision KMEX 34 Los Angeles
Sponsors:
Safe Moves
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Polaroid Corporation
Universal Studios Hollywood
Aquarium of the Pacific
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Speedzone
Boomers Park
Los Angeles Dodgers
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