Thirteen-year-old Lee Kreutziger had his own ideas about police. But, a few East Lansing police officers spent the last two weeks changing his mind.
Kreutziger and about 20 other students entering high school in the fall spent time with the officers as part of Camp ELPD, a joint effort of the police department and East Lansing school district to target a group of new high-schoolers.
“I used to think cops were freaky dudes,” Kreutziger said. “Now I know they are more of a friend than an enemy.”
Kreutziger was among a group of students to graduate Friday from the program’s first class.
“I feel really positive to be involved in the first program,” said East Lansing police Officer Larry Sparkes, who serves as liaison to the high school and assistant coordinator for the camp.
“Anytime you can reach out to the community and steer young people in the right direction is a rewarding thing.”
The two-week camp attempts to increase the students’ sense of respect and self-esteem through speakers, activities and team-building exercises.
Participants were selected by officials at the middle school.
“It is just a fantastic program and we’re happy with the results,” said East Lansing police Officer Chad Connelly, lead coordinator for Camp ELPD.
The program is paid for by a federal grant and area donations, East Lansing police Lt. Tom Vanderwood said.
“We do have the grant for next year as well, so I believe we are on the brink of something great,” Vanderwood said.
The camp is open to students who will be freshmen in the fall and each graduate received a high school credit.
“The credit was like handed to you on a silver platter,” camp graduate Brandi Lorrey, 14, said. “They should do this every year, it was fun and I learned a lot.”
Susan Stampski, Lorrey’s grandmother, said the program was great for her granddaughter.
“The first two days she said she hated it, but as the week went on, I know she was telling her friends how cool it was,” she said.
Vanderwood said a trip to Highfields Challenge and Adventure Camp, 5123 Old Plank Road in Onondaga, was a “breakthrough outing” for the students. Other activities included health presentations, a Lansing Lugnuts outing, flag football games between the participants and officers and physical training.
MSU football head coach Bobby Williams and Southfield police Chief Joe Thomas also spoke to the group.
East Lansing school Superintendent Thomas Giblin said the program is a two-way benefit for police and participants.
“Most of the time officers are only dealing with issues of arrests and tickets, things of that nature,” Giblin said. “Sometimes an officers view can become jaded, and when they work with kids in a recreational, educational way - it’s terrific.
“It’s a fabulous experience for young people, and I can’t help but rave about it.
“No one could have imagined that it could have turned out this great.”
