• DATE: Every third Saturday of the month
• TIME: 11 a.m. to 12 noon
• LOCATION: Barnes & Noble, 1716 Towne Centre Way, Mount Pleasant
• COST: Free

The Reading Patrol is a new program that builds a foundation of knowledge and trust for our youth and strengthens their relationship with the police department. Reading and literacy are key factors in school retention and graduation rates and the department believes that it is never too early to develop a lifelong love of reading. Our talented officers are building bonds with the youth of our community one book at a time. We want to preserve and build on that positive sentiment.

For more information, contact Sgt. AJ Santos at asantos@tompsc.com or (843) 884-4176.

• DATES: Continuous

• COST: Free

• AGES: 3 - 14

The Cops & Kids Buddy Card program builds on the community outreach efforts of the Reading Patrol, Blue Light Bowling, and youth summer camps.  The Buddy Card program allows children to interact with police officers in a positive manner.  During the course of speaking with the officer(s), children can request the officer sign his or her Buddy Card.  Once ten signatures from our real life heroes are collected the Buddy Cards can be redeemed at Town Hall for a prize!

For more information, contact Sgt. AJ Santos at asantos@tompsc.com or (843) 884-4176.

• DATES: Continuous
• COST: Free
• AGES: 3 - 14

The GOTCHA! Card Program seeks to highlight and reward positive youth behavior.  The program operates under the notion that youth often associate being "caught" by police officers with engagement in negative behaviors.  Instead, police officers participating in GOTCHA! will "catch" youth engaging in positive behaviors: being safe, respectful, or responsible. 

The idea for the program was spearheaded by FTO Don Calabrese and was brought to fruition by Sergeant William Mauldin.  The Mount Pleasant Police Department has partnered with area Chick-fil-A's to bring the program to the community.  When a child is caught by a Mount Pleasant Police Officer and receives a GOTCHA! card, the card may be redeemed at either Mount Pleasant Chick-fil-A location for a free icedream cone!
    
For more information, contact Sgt Matt Salata at msalata@tompsc.com  or Sgt. AJ Santos at asantos@tompsc.com.  

• DATES: Awarded Once a Semester
• COST: Free for middle and high school students
• AGES: 11-18

The Mount Pleasant Police Department Rising Star Award recognizes middle school students from each middle school and one high school student every academic quarter. The students that are nominated will have exhibited excellence in one or more of the following categories: community service; integrity/school discipline; leadership; or self-improvement and/or overcoming obstacles.  The purpose of this program is for police officers to make connections with youth by rewarding them for the positive contributions they make to society and for their own self accomplishments. 
 
For more information, contact Sgt. AJ Santos at asantos@tompsc.com or Sgt. Matt Salata at msalata@tompsc.com.