New program enables officers to provide one-on-one mentoring to youngsters

Neither police Officer Matt Holland nor third-grader Jeremiah Mackey had ever made a gingerbread house.

But the two put forth a valiant effort Tuesday in the library of West View Elementary School, bonding over icing, gumdrops and little candies shaped like trees.

Decorating gingerbread houses was the latest activity for the youngsters in the “Bigs in Blue” program, which pairs police officers with elementary school students. The program is offered through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.

West View police were the first to sign up to take part in the program, said Jan Glick, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh.

“The idea of this program is, there are a lot of issues here now in our communities with the police,” Ms. Glick said. “When I was a little girl, we were taught, ‘The police are your friends.’ …Today, with some of our population, there are some problems.”

The program at West View Elementary School, which is in the North Hills School District, began in October. Five police officers volunteered to take part, and five third-graders are participating. The group tries to get together every other week during lunch at school for activities such as playing board games or sports or just talking. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides funding for Bigs in Blue.

The program allows police officers to become one-on-one mentors to students. The officers will continue to mentor the students through sixth grade, said West View police Chief Bruce Fromlak.

After that, he hopes the boys will look to their police mentors to help them navigate the treacherous teen years, he said.

“If they have a tough decision to make, they can feel comfortable approaching us,” he said. “We can hopefully give them some guidance in the right direction.”

The five third-graders were chosen on the recommendation of teachers and approved for the program by their parents, said John Zawalnicki, school counselor. Since the program began, the students have not missed a day of school, the number of tardy days have diminished and shy kids have “come out of their shells,” he added.

Reducing absenteeism is important, Chief Fromlak said.

“They have a packed schedule. When you miss one day of school today, it’s the equivalent of three or four days in the past,” he added.

Mr. Zawalnicki hopes to double the size of the program to 10 students next year by involving Ross police officers. Some students at West View Elementary live in Ross, which is also part of the North Hills School District.

“It’s a positive experience, not just for the children but for the officers as well,” Chief Fromlak said.

Tuesday’s program began with the officers and students sharing pizza and stories of holiday traditions. The camaraderie was evident.

One of the officers was on vacation and could not attend Tuesday’s event. Eli Ziesman, the