East Orange, NJ, September 27, 2019: The East Orange Junior Police Explorers will represent the City of East Orange when their Color Guard presents the American flag during the opening of the New York Mets game on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at CitiField in New York.

The East Orange Jr. Police Explorers Program, which was recently revived under the leadership of Mayor Ted R. Green, was very active during the 1980s-1990s, but was dormant off and on due to lack of funding over the past 20 years. Understanding the importance of building mutually cooperative relationships between the police and our youth, Mayor Green made re-energizing the law enforcement enrichment program one of his administration’s priorities.

Under the leadership of Public Safety Director Dominick Saldida and Police Chief Phyllis Bindi and the supervision of police advisors and civilian volunteers, approximately 32 young men and women, ages 12-20, have been receiving real-world life skills and law enforcement experience, including first aid training, responding to domestic violence scenarios, writing reports, conducting investigations, and more.

Since the program began this past April, the Jr. Explorers also have become a regular fixture at public events as they learn how to engage with all segments of our community.

“I cannot stress enough how much mentorship means to the development of our youth,” said Mayor Ted R. Green. “The Jr. Police Explorers Program helps to foster positive relationships between our young people and law enforcement, creates pathways to a career in public safety, and builds character, confidence and self-esteem.”

For those interested, the Jr. Police Explorers Program meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 4:30pm-6:30pm, at East Orange Campus High School, 344 Prospect Street in East Orange. For more information, please call 973-266-5070 or 973-266-5526.

###