Like most police officers, Justin Delacruz became a cop to protect and serve. But when children would encounter him when he visited schools, he said wouldn't get the warmest reception.
"I was a going to visit schools where children were terrified of me just based upon maybe what they've seen in the media, on social media or TV and we wanted to give them a more positive experience," Delacruz said.
That's when he came up with Patrol Stories, a nonprofit organization that educates students on the role of police in their community, 911 safety education, and motivational techniques to become a successful adult.
By creating a fun, educational, innovative, and entertaining one-of-a-kind experience, officers promote positive policing and create memories with students that last a lifetime.
The program creates a bridge between police and the communities they serve.
"Police officers or agencies, in general, may be short-staffed or they have such high call load that they can't proactively provide these opportunities, so we help them do that," Delacruz said. "Communities have been inviting us to their communities and they're saying, 'This is what we need. We want our students to respect and love their officers, and know that those officers are there for them.' And that's really what we're doing."
We're proud to call Justin Delacruz and Patrol Stories this week's KRLD Difference Makers.
Justin said his favorite part of what he does is when he sees the minds and hearts of children change right before his eyes and students are no longer afraid of law enforcement.
To donate or sponsor visit PatrolStories.org.
If you know someone making a difference in the community send us an email at differencemaker@krld.com.
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