Capstone

For my research I looked at the relationship between police officers and teenagers in my community of Gilroy, Ca. It is my belief that kids who have continued positive interaction with police officers will have a better, healthier relationship with officers as they grow up. Often times police officers are identified as their job and not as people. Through my research, I got a better idea of how police officers are viewed by teenagers, and how we as a community can help better the relationship to form lasting positive relationships between police officers and teenagers in Gilroy. I combined field study interviews of police officers, high school students from Gilroy High School and students at a local Juvenile Hall. I also used secondary research (books) to help supplement my primary research of surveys. I also focused my main body on statistics found on the Department of Justice website. Through my research I have seen that early childhood prevention is the key in lowering crime and helping kids grow up with a better understanding and respect for the law. In order for a child to have lasting good relationships with police officers.

Independent Media

After exploring the various websites dealing with independent media, it is shocking how much the media is censored. Thank goodness we have the ability in this country to have independent media to provide the truth to inquiring minds. Visiting the different websites I learned so much just by skimming and reading headlines. The one website that struck me the most was the information clearing house website. Who knew that there were exactly 4,201 US military officers killed in Iraq? Who knew as of 11:00 pm 11/17/08 that the cost of the war had climbed to $571,973,114,419! These are not numbers and figures that are in the mainstream media! What a shame. I feel it is our right to know. As active, paying members of society, the people of the United States have every right to know where their tax dollars are going. It is such a shame that little is known about these alternate forms of media knowledge.

Thinking about alternate forms of media got me thinking about my service learning site. Juvenile Hall Salinas has a stigma around it as do all detention facilities. The people who are inside them are also stigmatized and stereotyped into a negative category. I have to admit, when I first started working there, I came in with some of those stereotypes and assumptions. As I got to know the kids and explore their talents, I could see that these kids weren’t just trouble makers, they were creative, blossoming souls full of life. Some of the best and most powerful poetry I have seen has come from juvenile hall. So like independent media, without my experience at juvenile hall, I would have never known there was another side to these kids, a positive, productive and creative side. Once you discover the truth behind something, you better understand it and can appreciate it. This is with most things.