Alternative Sentencing Program
Posted by Alfonso Lotrecchiano
The Town of Carmel Justice Court has a program where young people and first offenders (usually between the ages of 15 and 25) brought before the court for minor offenses such as fighting, disorderly conduct, trespass, traffic infractions, drug possession, etc., are offered the opportunity to perform community service rather than jail time.
For the past 15 years, the Carmel and Lake Mahopac Rotary Clubs have volunteered to supervise the individuals in the alternative sentencing program every Saturday, from April 1 to October 31, 8 am to 12 noon. Lake Mahopac April thru June, Carmel July thru October.
The chairman of the program from each club works as the liason with the Justice Court. A volunteer roster is set up with two club members supervising each Saturday. The Justice Court provides a list of those who to perform community service each week, attendance is taken and e-mailed back to the court.
The type of work projects varies; from picking up litter along streets and highways, weeding and mulching community flower beds, painting at Tilly Foster Farm, washing town owned vehicles, assisting at the Putnam Hospital Fair, CCE 4H Fair, Mahopac Fire Dept Fair and Hamlet of Carmel Holiday on the Lake decorating and breakdown.
This program is rewarding in many ways; Not only is it a good cummunity service project, it offers the individuals sentenced to community service the opportunity to interact with responsible adults. They are impressed that Rotarians volunteer for the program and often times the conversations and interaction between Rotarians and those sentenced to community service have contributed to these individuals realizing the importance of community, cooperation and good behavior.
The chairman of the program from each club works as the liason with the Justice Court. A volunteer roster is set up with two club members supervising each Saturday. The Justice Court provides a list of those who to perform community service each week, attendance is taken and e-mailed back to the court.
The type of work projects varies; from picking up litter along streets and highways, weeding and mulching community flower beds, painting at Tilly Foster Farm, washing town owned vehicles, assisting at the Putnam Hospital Fair, CCE 4H Fair, Mahopac Fire Dept Fair and Hamlet of Carmel Holiday on the Lake decorating and breakdown.
This program is rewarding in many ways; Not only is it a good cummunity service project, it offers the individuals sentenced to community service the opportunity to interact with responsible adults. They are impressed that Rotarians volunteer for the program and often times the conversations and interaction between Rotarians and those sentenced to community service have contributed to these individuals realizing the importance of community, cooperation and good behavior.