Graduation of FBI Safe Streets Task Force Youth Academy at The Belle Center

Today, Brian P. Boetig, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Lucy Candelario, Executive Director of The Belle Center, announce the graduation of approximately 30 at-risk young people who have spent the past two months participating in an FBI youth academy. The graduation ceremony will take place at 4:45 p.m. this afternoon at The Belle Center, 104 Maryland Street, Buffalo, New York, 14201, a multi-purpose community center on the lower west side of Buffalo that provides comprehensive programs and services to citizens in Western New York.
Beginning on January 14, 2014, approximately 30 students between 9 to 12 years of age gathered at The Belle Center on six separate Tuesday evenings to meet with FBI agents and task force officers assigned to the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force. Participants learned about the role of the FBI in their community. Program topics included drug-related crimes and dangers, Internet safety, bullying/cyberbullying, what to do if you see a weapon, conflict resolution, and anger management; fitness and leadership skills; cryptanalysis (code-breaking); and an interactive FBI Evidence Response Team activity. The students created individual “FBI artwork,” which the FBI has merged into a large poster to place on long-term display in the FBI Buffalo Office.
Members of the media are invited to attend tonight’s program:

• 4:00 p.m.: FBI Safe Streets Task Force members run a fitness program for participants
• 4:45 p.m.: formal graduation with certificate presentation by FBI SAC Brian P. Boetig

The Belle Center has worked closely with the FBI in recent years to deter violent crime, gangs, and drugs on the lower west side and to advance cooperation between law enforcement and the Hispanic community in Buffalo.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent James Jancewicz speaks to youth academy participants in February 2014. Photo credit: Jack Norton, The Belle Center