New Sign Helps Connect Youth and Police in Positive Ways

For the last couple of years, Park High School teacher Talia Prince has been trying to put together a project that would work as a bridge between students and the Racine Police Department.

When her husband, Officer Rick Prince, was assigned to the 6th Street COP house, Talia saw her chance.

"The sign out front was in really bad shape so I thought making the COP house a new sign would connect some of our at-risk youth with the police department in positive ways," she said. "These kids have done an absolutely amazing job."

RAPD Chief Art Howell couldn't agree more.

"We're always looking for ways to partner with the community, and when this unique opportunity was presented, well, just look at the craftsmanship. It's incredible," he said.

The students who worked on the project were all in Thom Stapleman's construction class and enrolled in the School to Work program. Stapleman said he chose two of the students - Tyler Cecconie and Joe Reise - because they're leaders in his advanced carpentry class.

"They displayed their leadership with the younger guys," he explained. "The younger guys are some of my most talented students and they wanted to give back since many of them live around here."

Vincent Cosey is a freshman who thought it was pretty cool to work on the sign. He said it took two solid weeks of work - plus a few late nights - to get it just right.

"It was good," he said. "I like seeing it up there like that and know that I helped make it. I was at school until 8:30 the other day finishing it up."

Talia wasn't interested in stopping at making and installing the sign, though. There will be one student who will volunteer starting this fall at each of the COP houses doing light maintenance, some custodial and perhaps some clerical work as well.

"We want to build the gap between high school students and the police department," Talia said. "The unfortunate reality is that high school students don't really see the police as friends and we want to build positive relationships."

Howell summed it up nicely when he pointed out how these young men have set a high bar of expectation for their fellow students.

"You know, we hear a lot about what's not right with our youth, but we don't hear enough of when you are doing right," he said. "You've set the bar high for others."