The Airway Heights Police Department is taking a proactive approach in helping the youth of the community.
The department partnered with Spokane Regional Health District’s Neighborhood Matters program, Cheney Public Schools and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest to create a youth mentoring program. The program consists of police officers spending time with youth in Airway Heights as a way to keep them out of trouble.
The program started after Heather Wallace, SRHD health specialist with the Neighborhood Matters program, began hosting Community Cafe meetings in Airway Heights over a year ago. Wallace said there were concerns from community members about public safety and vandalism happening at Sunset Park.
At the same time, one of Wallace’s colleagues, who works with families at Westwood Middle School, was meeting with an Airway Heights family whose child was getting into trouble.
“In the past that kid had success with a mentor,” Wallace said. “We thought pairing him with a mentor again would be a good idea.”
Wallace had also been talking with Airway Heights Police Chief Lee Bennett about how the department could be proactive in curbing malicious activity in the city, as well as helping local youth.
Wallace began researching for mentoring programs, which led her to Big Brothers Big Sisters’ “Bigs in Blue.” The program, which started in St. Louis, Mo., gives police officers one-hour time off to spend with a child.
“We thought that (type of model) would be ideal for Airway Heights,” Wallace said.
Three officers have already stepped up to become volunteers: Dennis Bachman, Ericka Rose and Erin Lance.
All three went through specialized training from Big Brothers Big Sisters that focused on Adverse Childhood Experiences Study and trauma.
Rose and Lance said they volunteered for the program because of the way the police are portrayed in today’s society, and that being mentors can show children they do not have to be afraid of law enforcement.
“When kids see us, we want them to think ‘if I call the police, the good guys will show up,’” Rose said. “It’s also about working hand-in-hand with the community.”
Lance added that being a mentor to local children is a way to help them break cycles of violence, domestic violence and drug abuse.
“Most of these children we work with are born into those cycles,” Lance said. “It’s sad to hear that and chances are we’ll be dealing with those kids for their entire lives. If we can break the cycle for one kid through this program, that’s a win for us.”
The Westwood student was paired with Bachman, who had met the student during a previous incident where he was the detaining officer.
“We have a good relationship so far,” Bachman said.
Bachman, who raised three sons, hopes to be a good role model for his charge and help him make good choices.
“My kid likes walking dogs, so we’ll do some of that,” Bachman said when asked what activities he and his mentee will do. “The YMCA and YWCA are working with us, so we can go down there, work, play some basketball and hang out.”
Wallace said Big Brothers Big Sisters will meet with families to make sure they want to be involved in the mentoring program. Every month, the organization will check in with the officer and the families to monitor the progress.
“It will be marketed as an Airway Heights program,” Wallace said. “Big Brothers Big Sisters will provide the training and support, but the relationships will come out of the community itself.”
Wallace hopes the program will expand beyond the police department. She said officers are going to encourage residents and local businesses to become mentors.
“We’re hoping this grows bigger, and that it benefits the kids and the community,” Wallace said.
Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].
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