he Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program received support from the Bridgeport Police Department. From left, Martins Ferry Patrolman Jon Young, accepts a check from Bridgeport Patrolman Nico Bumba and Sgt. Bill Timko. (Photo provided)

Photos courtesy of the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program

COPELAND: Assistant Police Chief Darby Copeland (right) presents a donation to Patrolman Jon Young for Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program. The support will help the program continue mentoring, teaching leadership and life skills and building confidence in the young people who will take part in this community initiative.

ROBEY: Councilman Ryan Robey (center) presents a donation to the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program after contributing his monthly council pay to support its growth. Robey is flanked by City Patrolman Jon Young (left) and Chief Vince Young.

WHARTON: Chuck Wharton (left), owner of Total Sports Connection, presents a donation to Patrolam Jon Young for the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program. Wharton’s business was the first to support the initiative.

BRIDGEPORT: The Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program received support from the Bridgeport Police Department. From left, Martins Ferry Patrolman Jon Young, accepts a check from Bridgeport Patrolman Nico Bumba and Sgt. Bill Timko.

Local donations help strengthen youth leadership initiative

By STEPHANIE ELVERD

For the Times Leader

MARTINS FERRY – When Martins Ferry Patrolman Jon Young was growing up in New Martinsville, he participated in a program that connected youth with officers who mentored children in the communities they served. Young credits that program with his eventual career in law enforcement.

“It made me realize from a young age that I wanted to be a police officer. It reinforced what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” he said. “And to be honest, it probably helped keep me out of trouble. It gave me guidance.”

Young wants to do the same for the youth in Martins Ferry and recently turned that idea into a reality by establishing the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program. The community initiative involves the city’s emergency services – police, fire and EMS – working together to engage youth and the public with safety-focused education.

“This is something I always wanted to do,” Young said. “I had thought about it for years and then I talked to Chief [Vince] West about it and he encouraged me to move forward with it so I did.”

“This was all [Young’s idea] and a pretty good one,” West added. “I think it’s a great way to help my department and other safety departments get to know the kids in the town and maybe bridge a gap that exists.”

Councilman Ryan Robey (center) presents a donation to the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program after contributing his monthly council pay to support its growth. Robey is flanked by City Patrolman Jon Young (left) and Chief Vince Young. (Photo provided)

Young said too often children are taught, often unintentionally, that police are the enemy.

“When I am in a store, sometimes a parent will point to me and say to their child, ‘If you’re not good, he will arrest you.’ And they learn to be afraid of us,” Young said. “We don’t want kids to be afraid of us. We want them to know that cops are here to help.”

Both West and Young hope the program will help the younger generation better understand that “protect and serve” isn’t just a motto. It’s a modus operandi.

“We want to make them more comfortable with law enforcement,” West said. “We don’t want them running away from us, we want them walking towards us.”

Young said the program is designed to educate, inspire and invest in the youth of the community. Open to students in grades 7-12, the program offers young people the opportunity to learn firsthand about careers in law enforcement, fire service and emergency medical services while developing leadership skills, teamwork and a strong sense of civic responsibility.

More than just a career exploration program, the Junior Public Safety Program is built on mentorship and meaningful connection.

Young emphasized that the heart of the program is investing in young people and helping them grow both personally and academically.

“We want to take a vested interest in these kids. We want to see their report cards. We want to feed them while they’re here. We want them to know that we want them to succeed and become productive members of society,” Young said.

He explained that the program will also focus on teaching practical life skills that many young people may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn.

Assistant Police Chief Darby Copeland (right) presents a donation to Patrolman Jon Young for Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program. The support will help the program continue mentoring, teaching leadership and life skills and building confidence in the young people who will take part in this community initiative.

“We want to teach them life skills — things like changing a tire. Things you need to know, but for whatever reason nobody took the time to teach you. We are going to take the time and make the time.”

Participants will gain hands-on exposure to real-world public safety experiences. Planned activities include mock crime scene investigations, leadership exercises, and interactive training scenarios. Organizers are also considering partnerships for mock trial experiences and hope to host outings such as park days, picnics, and fishing trips to keep members engaged and connected. Young and West both noted that while inspiring the next generation of police officers would be a welcome bonus — especially at a time when officer shortages continue to affect departments locally and nationwide — the program’s true purpose goes deeper.

“I became a police officer because I wanted to help. I want to make a difference,” he said, underscoring that the mission is about serving the community and being present for its youth.

The program is currently open to students in grades 7-12 who live within the city of Martins Ferry or attend school within Martins Ferry, including Martins Ferry City Schools, First Christian School, Speiro Academy and St. Mary’s. Students outside the primary eligibility area are still encouraged to apply, as placement may be available depending on space and resources.

Applications are now required for all students wishing to participate in the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program, and interested students must complete and submit an official application to be considered. Applications can be picked up at the Martins Ferry Police Department, located at 35 South 5th Street in Martins Ferry. Because space in the program is limited, students are encouraged to obtain and return their applications as soon as possible. The deadline to submit an application is 4 p.m. on March 20.

The Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program relies solely on donations, and community support is greatly appreciated. Those wishing to contribute or learn more about the program may contact Young at the Martins Ferry Police Department at (740) 633-2121 or visit the program’s page on Facebook.

Chuck Wharton (left), owner of Total Sports Connection, presents a donation to Patrolam Jon Young for the Martins Ferry Junior Public Safety Program. Wharton’s business was the first to support the initiative. (Photo provided)