Youth program to begin in New Castle

Staff report

new castle, pa.

City police will kick off their new youth program with a lock-in Saturday at the YMCA in New Castle.

Fourteen officers have volunteered to host fourth- through sixth-graders from George Washington Intermediate School at the Y from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., police Chief Robert Salem said.

Called Police Leading Active Youth, or PLAY, the program will give officers and kids a chance to know each other, Salem said.

“We used to have [a similar program] when I was a rookie officer,” Salem said. “It’s a great way to promote trust and understanding between police and kids.”

Salem said he does not yet know how many kids will be participating.

The event will include a pool party, movies, basketball, a dance competition, games and pizza. It’s free.

Salem said there will be other PLAY events, including street hockey, basketball and archery.

The program is sponsored by the police department, the Y and the Lawrence County Juvenile Probation Department.