Montclair Police, Schools Partner On LEAD Program

Police Chief Todd Conforti and Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Ponds were on hand for the kick-off of the Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) program held on March 18, at Renaissance Middle School in Montclair.

LEAD is a proven law-enforcement-focused anti-drug/alcohol, anti-violence curriculum for K-12 students. It is currently taught by more than 3000 trained instructors in 42 states.

The 10-week program focuses on how students can make smart decisions by avoiding drugs and violence. The District’s sixth graders, will attend the program’s 45-minute classes once a week.

The MPD currently has six instructors assigned to the Juvenile Aid Bureau, and Community Service Unit. Detective Shawn DePoe, Detective Anjannette Sanders, Detective Paul Rusiniak, and Patrolman Callum Higgins led the class on March 18. Detectives Rikki Cook and Pierre Falaise will also be part of the instruction team.

Lieutenant Tyrone Williams commands the Juvenile Aid Bureau, and the Community Service Unit. Detective Sanders also serves as the District’s School Resource Officer (SRO). Others present for the kick-off were Deputy Chief Wilhelm Young, Renaissance School Principal Maria Francisco, and sixth grade social studies teacher Rachel Dunn.

“I would like to thank Dr. Ponds for the partnership with the Police Department to offer the LEAD program for the students in our community,” said Chief Conforti.

Law Enforcement Against Drugs is a nonprofit 501 C 3 organization, supported by dedicated police officers, committed to protecting youth and communities from the proliferation of drugs, drug related crimes, peer-to-peer/cyber bullying and violence. The organization achieves its goals by collaborating with educators, community leaders, families and LEAD support organizations. For more information on L.E.A.D., click here.

Original article: https://patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/township-montclair-mpd-schools-partner-lead-program