The Hazleton Police Department is very active in the community participating and sponsoring many
events throughout the year. Below are just some of the events and activities the department provides.
The HPD accepts donations of new or lightly-used dresses for its annual Prom Dress Drive. Students from throughout Northeast PA who are attending the prom but might not have the means to get a dress are invited to come and select a dress. The HPD also decorates the gazebo at Pasco Park across from the police station to give every prom attendee a place to take beautiful photos.
Coffee with a Cop gives the community an opportunity to meet the men and women of the Hazleton City Police Department as well as those from other local police departments. Attendees receive a free hot or iced coffee and have the chance to talk with the officers in a relaxed environment.
Camp Aspire is a week-long day-camp held in the summer at City View Park for at-risk youth between
the ages of 7 and 14. Children who qualify for the camp have either been the victim of a crime such as
sexual assault or trauma, lost a loved one to drugs or violence, have a loved one who is in prison or jail,
struggle with socialization and need time with other children their age, or could use help making
positive decisions.
At the camp, they learn everything from expressing creative ideas to what are the “safe zones” on their
body, confidence, internet safety, drug safety, and good competitiveness in sports. Ultimately, they also
learn that their past doesn't define their future and that there is a way out of the city and some options
for how to make that happen.
The children also return at the end of the year for the Camp Aspire Christmas Party, which offers them
a fun party with food and games and a visit from Santa.
National Night Out is an annual, nationwide, community-building campaign administered by the
National Association of Town Watch. It began as a way to form partnerships between police officers
and the community in an effort to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.
The HPD hosts their celebration to give the community an opportunity to come and meet law
enforcement members in a neutral zone and have an open forum to voice any concerns they may have
about what's going on in the community. The event features a variety of vendors, food, games and
entertainment for the whole family.
HPD Public Information Officer Jessica Surkin teaches classes as part of the DARE program to
children in the Hazleton Area School District.
As part of its belief that community connection to police helps decrease youth violence, the program
teaches students how to live productive lives free of drugs and violence. Through the program, children
learn how to say NO to drugs, alcohol and tobacco and learn resistance strategies that help them avoid
peer pressure to do drugs. They also learn about the long-term effects of these substances, how to get
friends to use peer pressure in a positive way to help others say NO, and what to do if they feel they are
trapped in a situation where they don't have a way out.
In addition to the annual events listed above, the HPD is also involved in a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including speaking at schools about internet safety, teaching adults and children how to have open communication so children learn their parents can be friendly with them but they have to also act as the parent, and partnering with the Fraternal Order of Police on the Pack the Cruiser program to provide Christmas presents to families in need.
