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April 29, 2010

Educare Center will help Waterville prevent crime

Morning Sentinel Staff

As Waterville's police chief, I would like to add my own perspective about the opportunities and promise held in the new Educare Center. Along with the wonderful educational and enrichment opportunities Educare will provide to 200 Waterville youngsters each year, I also know that it will help me and my law enforcement colleagues reduce future crime.

The best way to prevent crime is to give each youngster the personal and academic tools to succeed.

In a comprehensive study of the Perry Preschool Program, researchers in Texas found significant lifetime crime prevention benefits.

The at-risk children excluded from the program were five times more likely to grow up to be chronic lawbreakers by age 27; at age 40, those who did not attend the Perry Preschool Program were twice as likely to be arrested for a violent crime.

They were also more likely to abuse illegal drugs, four times more likely to be arrested for drug felonies, and seven times more likely to be arrested for dangerous drugs.

Clearly, high-quality early care and education are among some of the most proven ways to give our kids the right start in life and keep them out of crime.

With more than 65 percent of Maine parents working, high-quality care for infants and youngsters is a necessity. Educare will offer Waterville parents the gold standard in care and will serve as a model of what is possible in other Maine communities.

I am proud that Waterville is home for Maine's first Educare Center.

Joseph Massey

Waterville Chief of Police

Waterville

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