Westport Police Youth Collaborative presents: A MIDDLE SCHOOL COP SHOP “Social Media and The Law: What every kid needs to know about their rights and responsibilities in a digital world.”

The Westport Police Youth Collaborative announced today that they will be holding

a Middle School Cop Shop at Toquet Hall on Tuesday, March 4 from 6:30-7:45 p.m.

This month’s topic is “Social Media and The Law: What every kid needs to know about

their rights and responsibilities in a digital world.” Westport Detective Sereniti Dobson

will be accompanied by other officers and Jen Cirino, Coordinator of Information

& Technology Literacy for the Westport Public Schools. The interactive panel will

give real-world examples of how the improper use of social media can have long-term

consequences for kids.

Cop Shops are informal, round table discussions between police officers and kids with

the intent of building supportive relationships and a better understanding between parties.

Middle through high school aged youth are invited to share a meal with local officers

while learning more about social media and personal responsibility. There will be plenty

of time for questions and answers about anything a young person may want to ask of

an officer. This is a great opportunity for officers to get to know more young people in

our community in a non-enforcement capacity and for kids to get to know the men and

women who serve our community.

“A partnership of the Department of Human Services and the Westport Police

Department, The Westport Police-Youth Collaborative (WPYC) seeks to foster respect

and understanding between cops and kids in Town by creating opportunities for them to

plan and implement programs which they believe will help foster communication and

build trust with one another.” said Elaine Daignault, an adult advisor to the group.

Past events spearheaded by high school students on the Westport Youth Commission

and Westport Officers Detective Sereniti Dobson and DARE Officer Ned Batlin have

provided many opportunities for community building among cops and kids including

such events as: the Westport Youth Commission Volleyball Smackdown tournament

during the May Homes with Hope annual Castles in the Sand event at Compo Beach,

annual Dodge-a-Cop events (scheduled for April 1st

raise funds for local non-profits and other events and opportunities for kids to spend time

with officers.

, 2014 at Staples High School) to

For more information on the Westport Police-Youth Collaborative or to get involved

contact Elained@westportct.gov.