go chris!

for his citizenship in the community merit badge, chris needed to pick a topic that was of interest/concern to our community and interview someone about it. so christian contacted a deputy that lives in our neighborhood to ask if he could interview her about the drug epidemic. she was so nice and helpful and put him in contact with the commander of the smc vice/narcotics division. chris was able to set up a time to interview him and it was great, they were so nice and so impressed with the initiative he was taking. a few weeks later this was posted to the sheriffs office fb page. so proud of him!!!

several good things came from this. for one, it has made his accountable. now anyone on fb knows that he is aware of, and against the drug problem in our county. not that this will absolutely keep him safe from it, but awareness and knowledge is a major step to prevention, and now he knows. another good thing is that he feels a connection to the sheriff's office. both captain alioto and deputy grumbles were so kind to him. they gave him a bag of goodies and told him if he ever needed anything that he could always contact either of them. in a day and age where some teens are very anti-police, i am glad that he feels this kinship with them.

here is the article about our boy. :)
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BOY SCOUT INTERVIEWS COMMANDER FOR CITIZENSHIP BADGE

On Wednesday, May 7, 2014, Chris Trujillo who is a member of Boy Scout Troop 1846 met with Captain Dan Alioto the Commander of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Division. Chris was acutely aware of the opiate drug problem plaguing our community and had some very poignant questions for the Captain. Chris asked, “what is law enforcement doing about the problem and what can young people, (like himself), do to help?”

Captain Alioto described all of the prevention and enforcement initiatives being utilized to combat the problem. He had this to say regarding what young people can do to help law enforcement, “It’s refreshing to see a young man have interest in this topic. What young people can do to help? Exactly what Chris is doing – by educating himself regarding prevention and looking to make a difference in his community, especially among his peers. This is an epidemic. The impact a bright young man like Chris can have on others should never be underestimated. He is making a difference by choosing this topic and by asking the questions, while there are so many other issues young people are faced with these days. I was honored and humbled he wanted to speak with me.”

Sheriff Tim Cameron and the men and women of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office would like to sincerely THANK Chris Trujillo for bringing attention to this serious problem and making a difference in St. Mary’s County. We hope he earned his Citizenship Badge!