IMPD program helping kids in the community still in need of funding
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Building relationships and inspiring kids in the community-that’s the goal of one program with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
Dozens of kids are part of the free program called Pink Boots on the Ground. It’s a mentoring program for young girls run by officers.
An officer with IMPD’s Neighborhood Outreach and Youth Services said the program is still in need of volunteers and donations since launching last year.
A group of kids spent Wednesday night at the JTV Hill Center for an overnight camp. Deonna Harris is part of Pink Boots on The Ground.
“They help you to become a better leader and to become better in your community and to help out different people,” said Harris.
The program is teaching young girls leadership skills. Harris said she’s also getting a chance to learn more about the officers.
“The officers are great with the kids. They’re like mothers and fathers to a lot of the kids out here,” she said.
The program launched last year and has seen great success. The department also launched Blue Boots for young boys hoping for the same outcome.
“I want other kids to have this kind of opportunity because it’s a good leadership building and if everyone had this I think everyone would be better off,” said Todd Williams, who is part of Blue Boots.
Williams has been with the program for about three weeks. He said they have done many different activities with officers, like fishing and boating. He’s even heard stories from an officer who was shot in the line of duty.
“He got shot two times in the back of the head. At first I was like, ‘wow, how is he still here’?” he said. “Then I start thinking this is my hero, he’s like some person I could look up to.”
Not only is the program teaching kids leadership skills, police also want them to get to know officers on a personal level.
“The first days they’re really on guard. They don’t know what to expect, you know it’s the police,” said Kristi Allen-Green, IMPD. “You know there’s a little bit of insecurity.”
Allen-Green is in charge of the program. She’s been in law enforcement for almost 30 years.
“When they got to know each one of us as officers and then they realized we’re people with families, so you start getting all these questions,” she said. “They become really familiar because some of them are calling us aunt, uncle, moms, and we’re answering.”
Allen-Green said she has noticed a positive change with the kids once they’re done with the program.
“I think when they go back to school especially with us they know we’re going to be watching them,” she said. “I think they will really, you know start opening up and I think the schools will really see the difference.”
She added, “I know last year Emanuel had told me they saw a difference in a lot of the kids that came back.”
Allen-Green told 24-Hour News 8 Pink Boots received a grant last year. She’s hoping to receive a grant for Blue Boots to help pay for the activities.