• DATE: Every third Saturday of the month
• TIME: 11 a.m. to 12 noon
• LOCATION: Barnes & Noble, 1716 Towne Centre Way, Mount Pleasant
• COST: Free

The Reading Patrol is a new program that builds a foundation of knowledge and trust for our youth and strengthens their relationship with the police department. Reading and literacy are key factors in school retention and graduation rates and the department believes that it is never too early to develop a lifelong love of reading. Our talented officers are building bonds with the youth of our community one book at a time. We want to preserve and build on that positive sentiment.

For more information, contact Sgt. William Mauldin at lmauldin@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664.

• DATES: June 18-22 and July 9 - 13, 2018*
• TIME: check in time is 8:30 a.m. - check out is 12 noon
• LOCATION: Cario Middle School
• COST: Free to Mount Pleasant residents
• AGES: 5 - 10

The Mount Pleasant Police Department Summer Junior Safety Camp is designed to educate young people ages 5 to 10 on a variety of safety topics and to build positive relationships with the community.

The safety camp is free and runs for a one-week period. The safety topics will include: Fire safety, water safety, bike safety, animal safety, and more!  Registration is limited to thirty (30) students.

Registration for our Summer Safety Camp is now closed.  All available spots have been filled.   
 
*Due to a growing interest in this program, we are offering two different weeks of camp this year: June 18 – 22 and July 9 – 13. You may register your child/children for one week or the other (but not both); priority will be given to those children who have not attended camp in the past. 
 
  
For more information, contact Sgt. Ben Dempsey at bdempsey@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664.
 
 

• DATES: 2018 Dates TBD

• TIME: TBD

• LOCATION: TBD

• COST: FREE for ages 12 and under

• AGES: All ages welcome

The Mount Pleasant Police Department Cops & Kids Pizza Night is designed to build positive relationships between the police department and the community.
 
Join us for an evening of fun eating pizza, having your buddy cards signed, and interacting with our police officers.

For more information, contact Sgt. Ben Dempsey at bdempsey@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664.

• DATES: Continuous

• COST: Free

• AGES: 3 - 14

The Cops & Kids Buddy Card program builds on the community outreach efforts of the Reading Patrol, Blue Light Bowling, and youth summer camps.  The Buddy Card program allows children to interact with police officers in a positive manner.  During the course of speaking with the officer(s), children can request the officer sign his or her Buddy Card.  Once ten signatures from our real life heroes are collected the Buddy Cards can be redeemed at Town Hall for a prize!

For more information, contact Sgt. Ben Dempsey at bdempsey@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664. 

• DATES: Continuous
• COST: Free
• AGES: 3 - 14

The GOTCHA! Card Program seeks to highlight and reward positive youth behavior.  The program operates under the notion that youth often associate being "caught" by police officers with engagement in negative behaviors.  Instead, police officers participating in GOTCHA! will "catch" youth engaging in positive behaviors: being safe, respectful, or responsible. 

The idea for the program was spearheaded by FTO Don Calabrese and was brought to fruition by Sergeant William Mauldin.  The Mount Pleasant Police Department has partnered with area Chick-fil-A's to bring the program to the community.  When a child is caught by a Mount Pleasant Police Officer and receives a GOTCHA! card, the card may be redeemed at either Mount Pleasant Chick-fil-A location for a free icedream cone!
    
For more information, contact Sgt. Ben Dempsey at bdempsey@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664. 

• DATES: Awarded Once a Semester
• COST: Free for middle and high school students
• AGES: 11-18

The Mount Pleasant Police Department Rising Star Award recognizes middle school students from each middle school and one high school student every academic quarter. The students that are nominated will have exhibited excellence in one or more of the following categories: community service; integrity/school discipline; leadership; or self-improvement and/or overcoming obstacles.  The purpose of this program is for police officers to make connections with youth by rewarding them for the positive contributions they make to society and for their own self accomplishments. 
 
For more information, contact Sgt. Ben Dempsey at bdempsey@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664.

• DATES: 3rd and 4th Thursday of every month

• TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

• LOCATION: Municipal Courtroom

• COST: Free for students in grades 9th-12th who reside or attend school in Mount Pleasant

• AGES: 14-18

The Mount Pleasant Youth Court is a voluntary diversion program that serves as an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system.  First time juvenile offenders (under the age of 17) of non-violent misdemeanor crimes  that occur on school grounds (e.g., theft, disorderly conduct, vandalism) may have their cases heard in the Youth Court.

Youth Court is a student-run court comprised of trained student volunteers who serve in the roles of judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, clerks of court, and bailiffs.  The student volunteers, who are 14 to 18 years of age, receive initial training from members of the S.C. Bar Association, and they must pass an examination prior to becoming a staff member.  Youth Court staff members must attend annual in-service training and pass an annual examination to continue their service with the Youth Court.

Juvenile offenders participating in this program have the opportunity to have their cases heard by their peers.  It is believed that this process has a more immediate and meaningful impact on the young person, thus reducing chances that the juvenile will reoffend.

All matters handled by the Mount Pleasant Youth Court are confidential in nature and are closed to the public.  All Youth Court staff members sign an oath of confidentiality and are bound by state law to keep all court matters confidential.

Applications for new staff members are accepted during the spring semester.  
Please email to request an application.

For more information, contact Sgt. Ben Dempsey at bdempsey@tompsc.com or (843) 881-8242 or Youth Programs Specialist Tia Egnor at tegnor@tompsc.com or (843) 849-2838 ext. 26664.