Westchester Reporter

Yonkers Police Department recently concluded its Family Police Initiative (FPI) in collaboration with Neighbors Link, aiming to strengthen relationships between immigrant families and local law enforcement. The program involved pairing police officers with families to foster connections and understanding through various activities.

“This initiative gives our families, who have been part of the Yonkers community for some time, a way to interact with our Police Officers,” remarked Mayor Mike Spano, expressing gratitude to Neighbors Link for their support. Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza highlighted the significance of community policing in building trust and ensuring safety, stating, “This initiative allows our Officers to build trust and strategically connect to ensure safety, security, and understanding.”

Under the coordination of the Yonkers Police Department’s Community Affairs Division, patrol officers from different precincts engaged with families in a three-week session. Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link, emphasized the importance of initiatives like FPI in promoting interactions between residents and law enforcement, stating, “The Family Police Initiative is designed to address long-standing issues of injustice, trauma, and social disparities.”

The Family Police Initiative included activities such as role-playing exercises, team-building projects, and discussions on community safety and support for adolescents. Neighbors Link, a Mount Kisco-based non-profit organization, focuses on offering education and empowerment programs for immigrant families by collaborating with local partners. The successful completion of the FPI with the Yonkers Police Department adds to the organization's previous sessions with the Westchester County Police and Ossining Police Departments.

The Yonkers Police Department continues to prioritize community policing efforts, with the Family Police Initiative being the latest addition to a series of programs aimed at fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and residents.