Summit, Westfield Cancel Youth Police Camps, Cranford Still On

CRANFORD AND WESTFIELD, NJ — The Cranford Police Department is still accepting applications for its summer youth police academy, even though Westfield and Summit both canceled theirs earlier this month due to the coronavirus crisis.

"Despite the current COVID-19 crisis, the Cranford Police Department is still planning on hosting our 14th annual Youth Police Academy," said a release sent out this month. "The Academy will begin Monday, July 6 and conclude Friday, July 10. Classes are run daily from 7:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. This law enforcement educational experience is for students graduating grades six to eight this school year. Depending on the status of the COVID-19 reopening and recovery plan, we may need to push the dates back later in July or August, but still hope to have this great expereince."

"The program gives Cranford youth the opportunity to see some of the aspects of the Cranford Police Department" and allows for open communication, says the release.

Applications are at www.cranfordnj.org/police-department. The deadline has been extended until June 1 at 4 p.m. There is a $90 registration fee, payable only when the date is confirmed.

Meanwhile, Westfield canceled its academy, previously scheduled for August 10 to 14, for high school students.

“The health, safety and well-being of our children will always be my greatest priority,” said Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro when announcing the cancellation on May 4.

The Westfield Police Department also noted other WPD events that had been canceled. Among them was the department's annual “Family Day,” which is usually held each April for children with autism.

Also, “National Night Out,” normally held each August for the entire community, will instead tentatively be held Oct. 6.

"Those high school students who have already registered for the 2020 'Youth Academy' will each be personally contacted by a representative of the Westfield Police Department to advise them of the cancellation," said the department.

Chief Battiloro noted, "Even though COVID-19 has forced the cancellation of so many of our community policing activities, we remain as committed as ever to community policing initiatives. We plan to be back, bigger and better than ever, once this pandemic passes."

Summit canceled its summer youth academy on May 11.

A spokeswoman said it was canceled "to protect the health and safety of participants, and to comply with restrictions from the State of New Jersey related to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. The program was scheduled to take place from July 20 to 31."

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