This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/04/2018 08:30 AMJustin Brochu was always drawn to public service. He grew up in the Hartford area and upon graduating from high school, he joined the United State Marine Corps, serving from 1999 to 2003 with much of his service spent overseas in Iraq and throughout Europe.
“I came home and still felt that call to public service and found the police department,” says Justin, who has served with the East Haven Police Department (EHPD) since 2007. “I started as the department started to gear more toward community-oriented policing under [former] Chief [Brent] Larrabee and now under Chief [Ed] Lennon. I am proud of everybody here and the work we have done to get to the point where we’re nationally recognized.”
Community outreach is one of the EHPD’s priorities with it recently announcing the creation of the East Haven Police Athletic League (EHPAL), a program that has been in the works for several years.
For the past three years, Justin has been leading the charge in getting EHPAL off the ground, helping to coordinate fundraisers, manage the legalities, and outline and organize the activities in order to launch the program.
EHPAL is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and operates under the National Association of Police Athletic/ Activities Leagues, Inc., which has a mission to “work nationwide promoting the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops, and community through positive engagement,” according to nationalpal.org.
EHPAL is starting out this month with boxing and karate, and Justin hopes to bring even more athletic activities and special events to the EHPAL roster. Ideas include a three-on-three tournament, lacrosse clinics; and a Hit, Pitch, Run Competition, as well as social and cultural activities. While the current classes are limited to 12 students per class, Justin hopes to keep those who start involved down the road.
“Across the country, PAL has found a foundation in boxing programs and we’re following suit so right now we want to make sure the boxing and karate stabilize themselves, but we have discussed other ideas for the future,” says Justin. “Once students become ineligible for registration due to age, we will try to recruit them as mentors for the program so they can share their past experiences with new students.”
In building the program, Justin and other officers volunteering for EHPAL have worked with many local businesses such as Chili’s, Overshores Brewing Company, and Chipotle Mexican Grill, as well as individuals who have supported the creation of the organization. There have been a number of fundraisers including a cornhole tournament sponsored by Overshores Brewing Company and Kick-a-Thon sponsored by Mike Conroy’s American Martial Arts. The Fall Festival Road Race has also pledged its proceeds to the program.
“With the Road Race, they almost pulled the plug for the donation in 2017, but the Mayor [Joe Maturo] stepped in and pushed it forward,” says Justin, who is a patrol supervisor during the day an evening shifts, a firearms instructor, and sergeant of the Honor Guard. “The support we’ve gotten has been amazing and to see how great it came together is really awesome.”
Another big supporter of EHPAL is Mike Conroy, who owns Mike Conroy’s American Martial Arts in East Haven. In addition to hosting the Kick-a-Thon in 2016, his studio will also be the venue for the EHPAL programs.
Registration for the karate (ages 8 to 12) and boxing (ages 12 to 16) EHPAL programs is underway and sessions will be held from April 23 through Oct. 24. Each of the classes costs $65 for the six months of classes, but registration is limited to 12 students per class and participants must be East Haven residents.
“I got to know Mike because my son goes to classes there and he has been a great supporter,” says Justin, who has lived in East Haven since 2005. “We are lucky to have an instructor like Mike Conroy who is on board.”
In addition to offering the youth of East Haven a discounted rate for the boxing and karate classes, the other goal of EHPAL is to provide positive interactions between the members of the EHPD and the local youth. Justin and other East Haven police officers will stop by classes on a regular basis.
“After everyone is registered, we’ll give them an orientation on the program and what is expected,” says Justin. “We’ll check in during classes and be there to cheer them on through their learning of the sport they choose. We’ll also be there if they ever have anything going on or just want to talk.”
Chief Ed Lennon is also looking forward to the launch of the program as its mission echoes many of his own beliefs.
“We look forward to bridging the gap between the community’s youth and the police department,” Lennon says. “Fostering a better relationship with our town’s youth has always been a top priority for myself and for the officers that interact with them every day. We certainly look forward to what the future holds”.
Justin grew up playing sports and now enjoys participating in recreational leagues as well as watching his son take part in martial arts and East Haven Youth Football. His son is also now starting baseball. He is excited about EHPAL because he will be able to combine his love of sports with his passion for community service.
For information on EHPAL, visit tshq.bluesombrero.com/easthavenpal, like East Haven PAL on Facebook, follow @easthavenpal on Twitter, or email easthavenpal@easthavenpolice.com.