Community Outreach
The Roanoke Police Department puts a concentrated emphasis on community outreach. Officers read stories to pre-school children at least once a week. Through partnerships with organizations such as the West End Center and the Community Youth Program, officers regularly help elementary school students do their homework. Children and officers have lauded our "Art with a Cop" program, where officers assist kids in art projects such as making homemade cards for children at the Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital.
The department has also launched successful summer programs. Officers work together every summer with the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority to distribute lunches to children at several different housing authority properties. The department also joined Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea to operate the Lea Youth Outdoor Basketball League for five weeks every summer at basketball courts in local parks.
