According to Jersey City Police officials, rather than play video games all summer, this Jersey City initiative encourages local youth to get out and get to know their local police officers and firefighters at free events held daily throughout the City.
Officials say at a time when police-community relationships are of utmost importance, the Conversations Help Aid Transformation (C.H.A.T.) contest provides families with the opportunity to get to know their JCPD officer or JCFD firefighter at the designated times and locations.
According to officials, as a reward for engaging a first responder, children up to 18 years old collect badges at each event.
Participants who collect the most badges this summer were honored at National Night Out, earned various prizes, and will also be recognized at the Chiefs’ Grand Finale Party this Thursday.
Awards will be given out to those who collected the most badges, and to the police and fire officials for their participation.
For more information about the program please visit jcnj.org/CHAT4Change.