What are Parent Patrols?
A Parent Patrol is a group of parents who volunteer within the community, spending their weekends, evenings and holidays on the streets, making sure their presence is felt at the youth "hang out" spots.
The parents undergo training which enables them to learn about the needs of the youth and to cope better with the youth culture; as well as to increase and enhance their involvement in their children's lives, and increase the sense of community among the residents.
The training teaches them how to communicate with the teens so they can explain the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.
The patrols act in cooperation with law enforcement officials within the community as well as volunteer organizations, thus enhancing the community's crime prevention, monitoring and law enforcement capabilities.
Currently, over 100 Parent Patrols are active throughout the country.
The Goals of the Parent Patrol
The Parent Patrols strive to reduce violence and anti-social behavior among the community's youth, provide solutions for teens going through difficult times, locate at-risk teens and refer them to the appropriate treatment specialists. In addition the patrols also strive to increase awareness among parents with regard to their children's "after hour" activities, and pool the crime prevention and law enforcement resources in order to increase the residents' well being and sense of personal security.
Partners in the Program