Officers from the Camden County Police Department visited Riletta Cream School on March 17 to read to kindergarten students, marking another year of participation in the Bookmates program. The event was held in partnership with the Camden City School District and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Southern New Jersey.
The Bookmates initiative aims to foster positive relationships between police officers and young students while encouraging literacy. Chief Gabriel Rodriguez said, “The CCPD has been participating in Bookmates since 2015, and it has become a regular act of mentoring the children and students of our city. Officers who participate in Bookmates are not just helping young students become better readers, they’re helping them build their confidence, and reminding them that police officers are here to help. In the past, the first time a child may have encountered an officer is when something bad happened, now with this program and through our unity policing initiatives, those same children get to see the people behind the badge, and experience positive interactions.”
Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleisher, Mayor Victor Carstarphen, State Superintendent Alfonso Llano Jr., and other local leaders also attended the event to speak with students about reading.
Camden County advances community welfare through efforts in education, workforce development, and public services according to the official website. The county maintains facilities such as parks, libraries, and nutrition centers to support community well-being as reported by its official website. Camden County supports over 500,000 residents across 37 municipalities according to its official website.
The county focuses on enhancing quality of life through services in public safety, health, transportation, and economic development according to its official website. It operates under a seven-member Board of Commissioners who serve staggered three-year terms as stated by its official website. Camden County’s operations extend across 37 municipalities in southern New Jersey according to its official website.
