The Zebulon Police Department is implementing a new approach aimed at supporting local youth who have faced trauma. According to ABC 11, the initiative named Community Advocacy and Resource Enhancement (C.A.R.E.) introduces social workers into the response equation for young individuals who have been victims, witnesses, or offenders in crimes. These two social workers are at the center of the program, providing mental health resources, assistance, and ongoing care.
The C.A.R.E. Unit, as reported by the Zebulon Police Department’s Facebook page, signifies a collaborative effort with North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and North Carolina State University (NCSU) and reflects the department's intention to create a safer environment for the town's children. Detective Kerry Burke expressed to ABC 11 that, "Historically, we are just seen as guns and badges. And the other side of law enforcement that people often don't see is the compassion behind that badge and the care that we do have for the people that we serve." Additionally, the program is expected to lower juvenile crime rates and reduce recidivism by breaking cycles of trauma at their source.
Recent studies highlight the significant impact of trauma on youth, showing that nearly two-thirds of children will experience at least one traumatic event by age 16. The data also link childhood trauma to changes in brain chemistry, neurological development, and a trajectory that connects trauma to academic challenges and a higher likelihood of juvenile criminal behavior.
In partnership with NCCU and NCSU, Zebulon Police officers have undergone training to identify and direct traumatized youth to the C.A.R.E. Unit, as noted by CBS 17. Zebulon Police's focus with this holistic program is not solely restitution, but restoration, considering the youth in the fullness of their humanity and their potential for growth beyond the trauma. For more information, the Zebulon Police Department has provided a contact channel through its Communications Director, Kaleb Harmon.
