Posted on 12/30/2009 4:35:49 PM PST by Maelstorm
The LAPD plans to launch its own Explorer program for young people this month, removing the Boy Scouts of America from management, officials said Tuesday.
The Police Commission voted two months ago to end its relationship with the Scouts because of the organization's policies that discriminate against gays. The program had been operated by the Learning for Life Foundation, a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts.
The move to create the Los Angeles Police Department's own teen program should be launched by Jan. 1, Deputy Chief Earl Paysinger told the Police Commission.
"We have received inquiries from dozens of agencies on what we're doing," Paysinger said. "We think once the LAPD breaks away, other agencies will as well."
The biggest challenge in creating the program has been raising money, Paysinger said, but more than $25,000 has been collected so far to help cover the costs of uniforms, badges and patches.
The Explorer program introduces teens to law enforcement as a career, by having them work in stations alongside officers and assist in a variety of policing programs.
Before becoming Explorers, teens must take 96 hours of training in an academy. More than 250 cadets are expected to graduate soon and enter the new program, which has not yet been named. About 3,000 young people are currently enrolled as Explorers.
"We have found wide support ... and a great understanding about why we are making this change," Paysinger said.
The BSA organization offers a tremendous amount of support to the Explorer posts and Venture crews. They don't realize exactly how much . . . but they will soon.
My prediction is this program will just fade away. Besides, how many parents are going to trust their 14-21 year old boys to a "gay-friendly" program? Talk about ASKING for trouble . . . .
Is there any sane place left on this planet?
Will NAMBLA be one of its sponsors?
I can't even imagine what this gay friendly group will be exploring.
If they're smart, they'll keep the extensive BSA rules designed to prevent sexual contact -- two leaders present at all times, no unrelated individuals sleeping in the same tent, etc.
But I don't think they're that smart. They're cruising for a lawsuit.
Looks like they are not prepared to remove “morally straight”
Anti-discrimination law discriminate against the Boy Scouts of America.
How can they afford this? From everything I read, the state is practically bankrupt.
Disgusting. They arrest child molesters/porn traders, and then welcome gays with open arms. I don’t think God will make a distinction come judgment day. Both are grievous sins to Him and he is revolted at the sight of both.
Hypocrites. All of them.
See? Libs can't see two inches in front of them. Point out the hypocrisy of this and they will petulantly shout out, "So the now the BSA knows what it feels like!", thereby proving that they really don't care about discrimination (depending on who it is that's discriminated against) and really are hypocrites, or that they are too stupid to get beyond anything that requires more brain power than 2+2.
LOL
LOVE that scene.
The Scouts or the Gay Scouts. Hmmm. I wonder where I would choose to send my son.
I was going to suggest the “Wood Sprites”, but since it law enforcement oriented, maybe the “Donut Holers”?
"I'm open-minded, so I want to send my inquisitive son to assist the strong officer in doing brawny police stuff in the cruiser tonight..." ????
That's what I thought...!
The LAPD is really sucking eggs, moral compass-wise.
To hell with them.
Jack Webb must be spinning in his grave.
Yes, it’s fairly obvious that the LAPD will not be able to prevent the new program from being informally called “the Gay Scouts” (just try and censor kids’ speech and watch where that gets you), and inevitably those who join will be stigmatized with that label or similar.
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