CRIME TIP HOTLINE:  860-527-TIPS

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:  Thursday, December 21, 2006

Hartford Police Department School Truancy Program Receives Funding from St. Paul Travelers.

(Hartford) - At a press conference today the Honorable Mayor Eddie A. Perez, Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts and Marlene Ibsen, President of the St. Paul Travelers Connecticut Foundation announced the awarding of a $150,000 grant from the St. Paul Travelers Connecticut Foundation to support the Hartford Police Department Truancy Prevention Program.

The event, held at the Fox Middle School, was also attended by Hartford School Superintendent Steven Adamowski and Fox Middle School Principal Andrew Serrao.

In his remarks Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts stated, "Truancy is the first indicator that a young person is giving up and losing his or her way.  It is the first sign of trouble and is a gateway to crime.  When young people start skipping school, they are telling us that they are in trouble and need our help. With the support of  Travelers, and in collaboration with the Hartford Public Schools, parental and community based organizations, and social service agencies, the goal of the program to reduce truancy and increase school attendance will insure a future of choice, options and hope for our children."

Commenting on the grant award by Travelers, Marlene Ibsen, President of the Travelers Connecticut Foundation, said "We know it won't happen overnight, and we know that money alone cannot solve any problem, but we hope that our funding will be a catalyst to enable the Hartford Police Department to reach the objectives it has set for this program.  We believe it is an effective method for reducing absenteeism and keeping kids away from potentially violent situations out on the street.  Hartford Public School students will be the real beneficiaries of our support and will be better motivated to stay in school and more hopeful for a promising future when this important initiative succeeds."

Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez stated, "Once again Travelers is demonstrating what it means to be an outstanding corporate citizen.  They understand that truancy is an educational issue, a public safety issue and an economic issue, and I am proud to see that our business community is on the same page with our city, our police department and our schools to put Hartford kids first."

-###-

Contact:   Nancy Mulroy, Public Information Officer, Hartford Police Department,  (860) 543-8746
Visit www.hartford.gov for more Hartford Police News
Return to Press Releases
HPD News Home