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Community Engagement

Benicia Youth Action Coalition
The BYAC is a community program led by the Police Department with the Benicia Unified School District and the Solano County Board of Supervisors City Team grant program. The coalition aims to reduce the underage use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through initiatives, strategies and science-based prevention and intervention programs at Benicia schools.

In 2015, the coalition supported the following activities and events: Second Step school program for students grades K-5; Parent Education programs; Alcohol & Tobacco Retail Compliance Checks; Prescription Drug Take Back events; Red Ribbon Weed school events; Senior Graduation Root Beer Floats; Social Host ordinance.

National Night Out
In 2015, the Benicia Police Department once again hosted the National Night Out for the 32^nd time. The event promotes cooperative, police-community crime prevention efforts. This year nine local neighborhood groups participated with BBQs, pot luck and family friendly activities. In addition to the police department, the Benicia Fire Department was well represented along with Benicia Emergency Response Team members, city council members and the City Manager who caravanned and visited each of the locations.

Relay for Life
Relay for Life helps communities celebrate the lives of those who have battled or are fighting cancer, remember loved ones lost, and come together to fight back against the disease. Each year, members of the department participate by walking in the event, manning the booth, as well as sharing resources with the public about the Police Department.

Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run & Final Leg
Staff and family of the Benicia Police Department participate in the run each year to escort the torch in the days leading to the Special Olympics of Northern California. In 2015, Benicia also hosted and served as a pit stop for international Special Olympics athletes, competing in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games.

Prescription Drug Take-Back
This proactive program addresses the problems that could be caused by medicines languishing in home cabinets, which are susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. The program allows the public to anonymously bring the medications to the event for safe disposal. In 2015, 840 pounds of unwanted drugs were collected and safely disposed by the Benicia Police Department.

Youth Citizen’s Police Academy
The academy is designed for all Benicia 7^th and 8^th graders, to learn more about how the police department conducts business. Classes will be held from Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Police officers and staff will give a series of presentations that provide information on all aspects of policing.

School Resource Officers
The School Resource Officer program is a collaboration between the Police Department and the Benicia Unified School District to enhance the learning environment in the school district. Officer Sam Peterson and Officer Kenyatta Nathaniel was assigned to Benicia Middle School, while Officer MarJonne Roberson was assigned to Benicia High School.

The Volunteer Program

The Benicia Police Department’s award-winning Volunteers in Police Service Program (VIPS) encourages the participation of citizen volunteers. It has been recognized as an "Outstanding Law Enforcement Program" by the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In 2015, VIPS continued to provide valuable hours of service that is vital to the police department. It is a vital partnership between the citizens in the community and the police department, and volunteers bring their experience and skills to enhance the services of the department.

The volunteers serve in a variety of capacity, including Patrol Volunteers, Clerical Support, Chaplains and Explorer/Student interns.

Family Resource Center

The Benicia Family Resource Center is a community-based, grant-funded program that focuses on providing resources and referral services to Benicians with children up to 18 years old.

2015 FRC Year in Review

Served 191 families, including 314 children.
Provided 27 families with financial assistance.
Nine parents participated in the Nurturing Parent Program, 14 parents completed the Parent Project Senior Program.
Assisted 18 families with Thanksgiving dinner with the help from Northgate Church, Benicia Police Dispatchers and Benicia Rotary.
Donated more than 100 pajamas, 30 backpacks with back-to-school items, and gift and meals for the holidays to 32 families, all made possible by the partnerships with community organizations.

Community partners: Northgate Church, Benicia Police Dispatchers, Benicia Rotary, Mary Farmar Elementary School, Community Congregational Church, The Benicia Mom’s Group, Benicia Fire Department, City of Benicia employees, St. Vincent de Paul, Benicia Soroptimists, Benicia Public Service Employees Association.