London, KY - Sheriff John Root is reporting that: the Laurel Sheriff's Office graduated their first class of parents/guardians and youth (Laurel 2.0 Youth Safety Program) on Wednesday night July 27, 2016.
The sheriff's office offered this youth safety awareness program for our community conducted by Special Deputy Elizabeth Sparks on July 25th, 26th, and 27th. The program consisted of 3 evening sessions with the first session being parents/guardians of children, Church youth leaders, ministers, teachers or anyone involved in children's lives.
The second session, parents/guardians and youth, were brought together to encourage developing a good flow of communication between them, and also providing information for family programs and counseling services.
The last session involved both youth and parents/or guardians and practical exercises instructing on abduction prevention and safety simulations.
Sheriff Root stresses that it is our goal at the Laurel County Sheriff's office to make area families/children more aware of their surroundings, and to provide some preventative safety measures that can make our families and children safer. The classes were conducted free of charge. The target age of the youth who attended was ages 10-15. We will offer a class in the future for younger youth.
Sheriff Root would like to thank those who helped sponsor some of the training that help make this program possible including: First National Bank and Trust, Frisch's Big Boy, Wildcat Harley-Davidson, Tincher and Williams Chevrolet-Buick-GMC , Salon Vogue, London Insurance Agency, Laurel Music Jukeboxes and games, Jessie Davis, Maggie Gregory, Harold and Kathy Benge, Peggy and Charles Sparks, Elizabeth Sparks, and County Judge Executive David Westerfield and his staff (for the use of the community room at the courthouse).
A special thanks to Angie Bowling of Williamsburg Police Department for her assistance as a second trainer. Also, thanks to Marshal Durham for his assistance.
In addition, Sheriff Root and the Laurel County Sheriff's Office also fully supported this program.
Future classes will be held free of charge by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office and will be announced at a later date.
