Community of Caring Moves Ahead
Helping make our neighborhoods and schools healthy, safe and family-friendly continues to be the mission of Community of Caring's community-wide collaborative effort.
Everyone is invited to embrace, articulate and reinforce five core values – Caring, Respect, Trust, Responsibility and Family – in an effort to encourage people to be responsible and caring members of the community.
Through training for parents, educators, students and other community leaders, Community of Caring Monterey Peninsula addresses the destructive attitudes/behaviors that can lead to early sexual involvement, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, delinquent behavior and/or dropping out of school.
You can help! Volunteer to serve on one of the action committees or on the Coordinating Council. Or participate in one of the regular training sessions and learn more.
Other ways to become involved include:

• Take part in Care and Share Day on April 15
• Acknowledge and celebrate the good things happening in our community – write a Letter to the Editor, call someone and thank them or otherwise let people know how you feel!
• Live the values of caring, respect, trust, responsibility and family to serve as a role model.
• Integrate the program into your curriculum, event or organization.
• Encourage your house of worship/fellowship to become involved.
• Help facilitate a Community of Caring youth forum.
• Display a sign in your home, school or business.
• Include info about Community of Caring in your organization’s newsletter.
• Make a tax-deductible contribution.

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Teen Police Explorers Vital Part of Team
Teen Police Explorers in the City get first-hand experience at what it’s like to be a police officer in Monterey while making a valuable contribution to the community.
Since Monterey Police Explorer Post #257 was established in 1997, the program has been a success. Today uniformed Explorers, ranging from 14 to 19 years of age, assist with traffic and crowd control, special events (e.g. taking fingerprints of children, pictured) and disaster situations.
Explorers have regular training meetings twice a month and learn about law enforcement related topics, such as radio procedures, traffic control and basic patrol procedures. Recently, Explorers have been training with other local police agencies. This opportunity reinforces not only the meaning of “team work” within the City but also shows Explorers the type of cooperation the Police Department has with outside agencies and cities.
For more info on becoming a Monterey Police Explorer or donating funds to our program, call Officer Ken Shen at 646.3808 or email shen@ci.monterey.ca.us

Program Puts Kids Back on Track
Help is just a referral away for at-risk youth in our community.
More than 150 young people and their families already have received assistance through the City’s successful Youth Diversion Program.
“I can’t count the times a young person has said, ‘It’s weird, but I’m glad I got arrested,’” says Youth Diversion Coordinator Kathy Miller, a long-time counselor. “Many of the youth have really taken advantage of the opportunities the program offers.
“We continue to find jobs for our kids, counsel families in crisis, listen when there just isn’t anyone else and find simple solutions to problems that just seem too big to a child.”
The two-year-old program, coordinated by the Monterey Police Department, continues to fulfill its goal of preventing youth from entering and re-entering the juvenile justice system.
Youth who have committed misdemeanors or infractions or have exhibited behavior associated with criminal activity are eligible for referral to the program. Once referred, youth sign a contract to be part of the diversion program where they receive counseling for up to one year.
For more info, call the Youth Diversion Program at 646.5696 or email miller@ci.monterey.ca.us

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Budget Approval Process Underway Citizens Asked to Give Input, Help Shape Priorities
The annual budget process is underway, and your opinions play a vital role in establishing the City’s financial plan. Let us know what you think!
“It’s essential that the budget reflect both the community priorities and operational needs of the City,” says City Manager Fred Meurer. “We need to hear from citizens and understand their interests and issues to develop the best budget and work plans possible.”
Voice your opinion at the Community Connection forum scheduled for Thursday, March 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie Street. Or participate in the other public meetings and/or hearings scheduled throughout the budget development process
If you are unable to attend, you can call, fax or email us with your suggestions and ideas. For more budget info call 646-3940,or visit www.monterey.org/budget

• March 16, 7 p.m., public forum, Hilltop Park Center
• March 20, Life Support/Social Service Grant Applications Due to Recreation
• March 31, Cultural Arts Grant Applications Due to Museum
• April 27, 7 p.m., NIP Committee Project Selection, Council Chamber
• May 16, 7 p.m., City Council Reviews NIP Projects, Council Chamber
• June 6, 4 p.m., City Council Budget Study Session, Council Chamber
• June 20, 7 p.m., City Council Public Hearing, Council Chamber

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Fire Department Takes Services to Bay
Water-side emergency medical aid and fire suppression services are available once again thanks to the City’s new inflatable fireboat.
“It’s great that we have another degree of security for emergencies,” says John Myette, who is one of up to 20 residents authorized to live aboard their boats in the outer harbor. “I like the fact that a quick response is available for fire and medical incidents.”
The compact 175 horsepower Zodiac Hurricane Inflatable Fireboat restores a service to our harbor that has not been available to this extent for 25 years.
The boat can spray 400 gallons per minute of seawater, providing extra protection for our wharves and other water-side resources.
For example recently in Santa Barbara, several similar fireboats helped minimize damage to Stearns Wharf after a disastrous restaurant fire.
Monterey firefighters have trained on the boat for the past year and are well prepared to serve visitors, residents and business owners. Look for firefighters as they conduct their ongoing training around our harbor.
For more info email the Fire Department Shoreline Operations Project at or call 646.3900.

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Rev 09/03/09 L. Huelga http://www.monterey.org/focus/spring00/news.html