DPS 61 safety camp teaches students bicycle safety, builds trust with first responders

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Before the new school year begins, a group of Decatur Public Schools students learned lessons that go well beyond the classroom.

The District 61 Safety and Security Summer Camp gave students hands-on experience with bicycle safety, first responders and law enforcement while building confidence and strengthening relationships with the people who help keep the community safe. Now in its third year, the camp continues to evolve based on the needs of local students.

This year's camp focused on bicycle safety after district leaders noticed an increase in students riding bikes and several crashes involving young cyclists near schools.

"We've noticed that a lot of kids were out on bicycles," said District 61 Safety and Security Administrator Vladimir Talley. "We had a couple of incidents by one of our schools where a motorist hit a bicyclist. So we wanted to make sure the kids were safe in their ability to drive about their school and around the school and their neighborhoods and be safe."

Talley, a retired law enforcement officer who is entering his fourth year with the district, said each year of the camp has featured a different theme. The inaugural camp centered on leadership and organizational skills, while last year's camp introduced students to careers in law enforcement.

Drawing from a 36-year career in policing, Talley said youth education has always been one of his passions.

"Now that I'm in the school district, I needed to pair educational opportunities with safety features," he said.

One stop during the week-long camp brought the students to the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, where they got a behind-the-scenes look at how officers prepare for the job. Students also learned about careers beyond becoming a police officer, including civilian roles such as crime analysts and technology positions.

"A lot of my friends came, and they talked about the positions that they held," Talley said. "I want to give them an opportunity where they would be able to see how law enforcement officers train. Not that they have to be police, but there are civilian positions."

Beyond teaching safety skills, Talley believes the camp helps students build positive relationships with law enforcement officers at an early age.

"It is absolutely important," he said. "Yes, we have to enforce rules and regulations, but they need to know that we are human and that we're there just to provide that protection for them."

For 12-year-old Adrian McCrory, returning to camp for a second year was an easy decision.

"Because I knew it was going to have some fun stuff," McCrory said when asked why he wanted to come back.

McCrory said one of his favorite experiences this year was interacting with the K-9 unit.

"I wanted to learn how the dogs work," he said.

For Talley, watching students grow throughout the week is one of the most rewarding parts of the program.

"It's been wonderful," he said. "I love kids. That was why, after I retired from the police, I came into a school district because it is our job, it is our responsibility as adults to help and grow kids into being good citizens."

He hopes the camp also inspires the broader community to become involved in supporting local youth.

"These are great kids," Talley said. "They need support. They need people to become mentors. I'm going to encourage and challenge everybody out there to become a mentor or a volunteer with Decatur Public Schools."