‘It’s not like what you see on TV’

Camp gives teens an inside look at crime fighting

BOYNTON BEACH – Daimarys Lopez paced a cordoned-off scene at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, holding yellow evidence flags while searching for 24 rifle shell casings.

The 15-year-old walked slowly in circles, over and over, before placing flags next to three scattered shells.

Lopez was one of 22 teens who took part Wednesday in a make-believe crime scene through the Boynton Beach Police Department’s ninth annual Teen Police Academy, a weeklong camp teaching youth about law enforcement.

“I found it a good experience and an interesting way to learn,” Lopez said. “It seems really interesting and fun to do every day.”

The teens acted as crime-scene investigators and had the opportunity to see that “it’s not like what you see on TV,” said Tina Stidham, a Boynton police crime-scene investigator. “It’s a lot more realistic.”

Stidham led a presentation with Rob Eichorst, also a crime-scene investigator.

They talked about how to track down evidence before leading the teens to the mock scene, where a dummy was covered in fake blood to depict gunshot wounds.

The teens formed a theory of what happened based on the evidence left behind. Some thought it was a drug deal gone wrong, upon seeing a bloody crowbar, black pistol, faded baseball cap and an energy drink.

The academy gave the teens a chance to meet the city’s SWAT and K-9 units. They will participate in a ropes course today and meet with the marine unit before graduating Friday, said Officer Rachel Baldino, who has been supervising the academy for four years.

“Many of the kids have an interest in law enforcement,” Baldino said. “This gives them an inside look at some of the things we do.”

LESLIE OVALLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Boynton Beach Police Department Teen Academy members learn about processing a crime scene at a mock scenario in Boynton Beach on Wednesday.