Making a difference

    HOULTON – Young minds are impressionable and the right message needs to be sent as early as possible.
    The Houlton Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) wants to teach each child every day about making positive choices and developing healthy lifestyles. Throughout the year, ACAP Head Start strives to involve community leaders and volunteers with the children.
     "We believe parents are the first teachers for their children," said Kim Larkins, North Street center supervisor. "We take opportunities to provide the children with other experiences to meet and learn from community role models."
    Recently, Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin attended "Lunch with the Children" at the North Street center, and he thoroughly enjoyed meeting his new friends.
    "I wanted each child to think of me as being their friend," he explained. "I wanted to show them I enjoyed their company, as much as I hoped that they enjoyed mine. Interacting with children at this age for a police officer is critical, but it can't end here. It is a work in progress."
    Since young children are more impressionable and are honest about their feelings, Asselin stresses it is important that children do not get the wrong impression about the role of a police officer.
    "They should not be afraid of the police," he said. "It is nice to show them that we are ordinary people trying to do a job, not necessarily the stereotype that they see on television."
    Though he wears a blue uniform, has a badge and carries a gun to enforce the law, Asselin showed the youngsters his more "fatherly" side by sitting at a youth table in a small chair, pouring milk and spooning out vegetables to the children. He also made his rounds to each table, getting to know the children's names and even giving out the occasional high-five.
    But, like most children, interest and discussion centered around a police officer’s equipment, so Chief Asselin requested the assistance of Patrol Officer Erica Cheevers-Pelletier to explain what equipment a police officer uses on the job.
    "Erica has only been a full-time officer for a few weeks, but she is doing a remarkable job," Asselin said. "The children enjoyed her presence and with the exception of her service weapon, the display of her equipment."
    The children immediately took to the young patrol officer, giving her their full attention during her presentation. When she was done speaking, children, who were babbling out lots of questions, soon surrounded her. She attempted to answer the inundation of questions with a gentle patience and a big smile.
    "It was good for Erica to be a part of that experience," said Asselin.
    During Pelletier's presentation, she showed the children a set of handcuffs. One boy wanted to see how they worked, so being a good sport, Asselin got in on the act.
    "It was an unforgettable moment. The child received a great deal of enjoyment placing those handcuffs on me, maybe too much," he laughed. "I will never forget his smile. Having a child place handcuffs on me was a personal first."
    Overall, Asselin and Pelletier were a hit.
    "I will be visiting the center on Bird Street and returning to the North Street center to read to the children," said Asselin. "It is my hope to have every Houlton officer do the same."
    Asselin's association with Head Start and organizations such as ACAP are not new.
    "I first got involved with Head Start during the mid 1980s," he said. "My wife was employed by Kennebec Valley Community Action Program (KVCAP) in Skowhegan. She would often talk about the children in the classroom, so I would stop by periodically during my off time to visit."
    Being a police officer, Asselin knew many of these children's families, sometimes not always in a positive light.
    "It would just break your heart knowing the best meals some of them enjoyed were being provided for them by KVCAP," Asselin said. "When I became a police chief in Skowhegan, my involvement with Head Start increased dramatically."
    In 1997, Asselin became one of the first Maine police chiefs to join Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, which is a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy organization. The organization believes the most cost effective way to reduce crime in Maine and throughout the nation is to funnel more money into Head Start, Pre-K and other researched-based programs benefiting children.
    According to statistics, 32 percent of eligible Maine children are enrolled in Head Start.
     Asselin feels he has an obligation and a duty to promote programs, such as Head Start, to steer children away from the criminal justice system.
    Personally, Asselin believes building more jails is not the answer to Maine’s crime problem.
    "Incarcerating people in county jails and state correctional facilities is a fiscal burden to the average taxpayer," he said. "I don't necessarily believe having more jails is an answer to reducing crime. Nor do I believe having more police officers on the street is the answer either. What I firmly believe in is investing in our children."
    Asselin is a realist and knows not every child attending Head Start will follow a productive adult life, but the chances are much better.
    "Not every child will refrain from committing crimes," he said. "But, statistically speaking, there is a dramatic drop in crime committed by these children when compared to those who were not able to attend such programs. I doubt that I  see the fruits of my efforts during my career, I know that a generation from now will."
    While known to be advocate for children on the state and local level, Asselin is no stranger to the political arena in Washington, D.C.
    In 2004, Asselin was invited by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids to speak before the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce on the need for anti-bullying legislation. Two years ago, he met with Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, along with other law enforcement officers, to lobby for federal funding for Head Start.
    "I would hope any eligible parent reading this article takes advantage of programs in our area," he said.
    Larkins said she is pleased that Houlton’s police chief is involved with early education and prevention.
    "Children are beginning to form many of their own values at an early age," she said. "I am thrilled that Chief Asselin is willing to come to the classroom throughout the year and answer children's questions, while also helping them learn how to make better choices."
    All the efforts come down to the community’s commitment to do the very best for the children.
    "I think it is the responsibility of every adult to become a positive role model for our children," Asselin said. "It shouldn't just be the responsibility of the police, educators, firefighters, athletes or clergy."
    As Asselin and Pelletier mingled with the children, several youth said they wanted to be a police officer when they grew up.
    "I hope that is a dream that many of them will realize," said Asselin.