Kicking off a new effort to positively engage local youth in a new Youth Services Division of the Portland Police Bureau are Antoinette Edwards, director of Public Safety and Peacekeeping for Mayor Sam Adams; Joe Marziello, Portland executive director of the Boys and Girls Club; Police Capt. Kevin Modica and local Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Joshua-John Delorenzo.
Photo by Mark Washington
North Precinct Capt. Modica to lead effort
Police Chief Mike Reese announced the formation of the Youth Services Division of the Portland Police Bureau at a news conference on Monday at the Blazer Boys and Girls Club on Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The new division will contain School Resource Officers, the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, the police bureau’s Cadet and Reserves program, and the Police Activities League.
The Youth Services Division will be led by North Precinct Capt. Kevin Modica and will focus on youth-related services. Modica is an African American officer who is currently in charge of the precinct that covers north and northeast Portland. He has a long history of working with youth and youth organizations.
“The goal of locating these units under one command and location is to improve communications and cooperation between all of our youth services,” said Chief Reese. “We have so many officers who act as mentors, coaches, work with partners such as PAL and the Boys and Girls Clubs. I firmly believe that by coordinating positive interactions with youth, we can really make a difference in their view of law enforcement.”
Portland Mayor Sam Adams said the Youth Services Division is another example of the Police Bureau getting even better organized and focused.
“By coordinating services, we will enhance our partnerships with agencies that provide programs for youth to intervene in a young person’s life early on and help provide structured activities and positive and productive options,” Adams said.
