At first thought, there isn’t a lot in common between boxing and an essay writing contest, but both are being used to help youth stay on the straight and narrow in East Flatbush.
Dep. Inspector Cory Pegues, commanding officer of the 67th Precinct, explained how each will play important roles in the area — which has seen 92 people being struck by bullets, 18 of them fatally.
Pegues announced plans to start a boxing program in the Flatbush Gardens housing development. The program will be run by retired NYPD sergeant Pat Russo.
“We’re going to have two great professionally built rings and professional trainers and videotapeshelping some of these youths out here with all the aggression they have. We’re going to take them out there to knock each other’s headoff but with head gear on. Let them hit the heavy bag,” he added.
The 67th Precinct is also sponsoring its First Annual Essay Writing contest with the following topic: “As commander of the 67th Precinct, what would you do to combat gang and gun violence in your community?”
Pegues said the contest will be open to all the elementary, junior high and high schools in the precinct jurisdiction.
Among the goals of the contest is to nurture and encourage writing, to help youth understand the duties of a police officer, and to build a stronger relationship between local police and the community.
Essays will be judged for originality, grammar, contents and clarity.
Elementary school students between the ages of 8-11 have to write their essays no less than 200 words, junior high school students between the ages of 12-14 no less than 250 words, and high school students between the ages of 15-18 no less than 300 words.
All essays should contain a cover sheet with a student’s name, age, home address, parent or guardian’s name and phone number, and the name of the school.
Essays collected by the school’s principal or teacher will be picked up by the 67th Precinct’s youth officer no later than 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 10.
One winning essay from each group will be announced at a special ceremony from 7-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19 at Nazareth High School, 475 East 57th Street.
For further information on either of these programs, call the precinct at 287-3211.
