The youth and community outreach efforts of the Cocoa Police Department continue to move forward in a positive direction thanks to a new community partnership with Erdman Automotive and the Cocoa Police Department's non-profit, the Cocoa Police Foundation, to help raise funds, awareness, and support for some of the programs that help make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in the community. “We are grateful for community partners like Erdman Automotive,” Chief Evander Collier IV stated. “We are only as effective as the positive relationships we create. Working together, we have the ability to find creative ways to make safer communities and improve the quality of life for everyone here.”
Each year, the Cocoa Police Department engages in outreach programs designed to make a positive impact in the lives of local residents. Many of the programs involve investing in local youth, like Cops and Kids Summer Camp, Cocoa Police Athletic League and its after-school programs, along with job training, leadership training, mentoring, and more. All the programs are designed to foster positive relationships among law enforcement and the people they protect and serve. "I am glad to hear that the emphasis of the Foundation will be to assist our youth in areas of mentoring and caring for their developmental needs," said Mike Erdman.
The Cocoa Police Foundation was created in March, as a way to help fund the outreach efforts of the police department to reduce crime, promote safer neighborhoods, and improve the quality of life in the City of Cocoa. The programs have already helped dozens of children and even more families during the holiday season and beyond.
