New Haven police want better relationship with kids

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)--  The initiative to strengthen the relationship between kids and police was launched 2 weeks ago. We asked the kids what they think about it.

Joceyln Ortega, a second grader said,  "I think it's amazing because they  make sure everything's OK and they are really making sure everything is OK because they think kids are important more than big people."

And it's the little people these police are focused on. They'll be walking the halls of elementary and middle schools with the goal of getting the youngest generation to feel more comfortable around them.

Selena Carrasquillo, also a second grader said, "they make us safe but when I'm around them I'm scared a little bit."

Officer Robert Clark from the New Haven Police Department said, "did you see me in the hallway last week during the fire drill? Yes. So you can always come up to me anytime you want. That's what this program is all about. Sometimes you can see me in the neighborhoods, sometimes in the schools too right?"

They hope kids will look to the police as role models and friends and feel excited to come up and say hi to them, instead of running the other way.

The kids seem open to the idea.

"I hope to talk to him all the time because maybe he wants to tell us something, like what happened, or make sure we're OK, or if something happened to us," said Ortega.

Carrasquillo said "I would like to chat with him a little bit because he's an officer, because he's nice."

And she thinks it will make her less afraid of police too.