S.A.L. is a youth program that is sponsored, organized and run by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department. With the help of volunteers, parents, and the community we hope to curb the amount of youth violence and strengthen the bond between law enforcement officers and the neighborhoods that they patrol. S.A.L. is designed to deflect young people from violence, teach them peaceful means of resolving conflict, and heighten their awareness of the effects and consequences of violent behavior. The program would bring the youth of our community under the supervision and positive influence of a responsible law enforcement officer. This would expand the public awareness about the role of the Deputy Sheriff and reinforce the responsible values and attitudes instilled in young people by their parents.

The kids would have a chance to interact with their fellow classmates and their community in an effort to bring the two together. The involvement of young people in community solutions to youth violence problems is essential. By this means they find a role that will bring them a sense of self-worth and pride in their surroundings thus, creating a positive and safe atmosphere within each neighborhood. The role of the officer would then include: being a role model for the kids, teaching conflict and anger management courses, and leading discussions on ways that the students can play an active part in their community. This would allow the officers to get to know, and be known by, the young people in their areas before they get into trouble with the law. At the same time we hope to be creating young students who can, in turn, be role models for others around them.

The officers offer educational and recreational activities that provide positive alternatives to violence. The S.A.L. program provides safe and fun activities for the students to participate in. Some of the activities available to the kids are basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, and many other outdoor activities. Also, there are many table games such as Checkers, Monopoly, Life, Sorry, and Ping Pong. The children also utilize crayons, glue, glitter, and paint to create magnificent works of art. The officers and volunteers on site organize sports or board game tournaments, arts and crafts days and field trips. Some of the excursions which pair Deputies and Civilian Volunteers with the children have included a day at Wild Water Adventures, a San Francisco Giants baseball game, a Championship Soccer Tournament as CSU Fresno, attendance at a Fresno State Football Game, and career days at specific sites.

The children who participate in the program range between the ages of 10-17. (The kids come from both the rural and metropolitan areas of Fresno County which covers over 6000 square miles) There are 10 sites county wide that provide recreation and supervision to approximately 1000 students a year. The sites are open primarily in the summer on Monday-Friday from 9am-3pm. Some sites operate open during the school year either after school or on Saturdays. During the summer lunch is provided for the kids by the Economics Opportunity Commission (E.O.C.).

We welcome any parents or other volunteers who would like to help bring our youth, the peace officers, and their communities together. It is our hope that by bringing these groups together we can cut down on the amount of youth violence and provide some positive role models for our kids.