Placerville Police Chief: High-Quality Early Ed is One of the Most Powerful Weapons Against Crime

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday November 1, 2011

Contact: Meghan Moroney, 415-450-1913; mmoroney@calfightcrime.org

 

Placerville, CA State Assembly member Beth Gaines (R-04) and Placerville Police Chief George Nielsen visited students at Happy Kids Preschool today to see how high-quality early education programs prepare children for the future and keep them away from crime.

Research shows that high-quality early education programs are among our most powerful weapons against crime said Chief Nielsen, a member of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California a bipartisan, anti-crime organization led by 400 sheriffs, police chiefs, district attorneys and victims of violence.

Assemblymember Gaines and Chief Nielsen met to discuss the importance of high-quality preschool and the need for continued public investments in early learning programs. Assemblymember Gaines and Chief Nielsen then toured the classrooms and read to the students.

Studies show that preschool is an effective crime-prevention strategy. Research recently released by the University of Minnesota found that children not enrolled in the government-funded Child-Parent Centers in Chicago were 27 percent more likely to have been arrested for a felony by age 28 when compared to those children who participated in the program. Program participants were 21 percent more likely to have graduated from high school on time.

Investing in early education keeps kids in school and out of jail, stated Chief Nielsen. Despite these difficult economic times, we should continue to invest in early education as a cost-effective crime-prevention tool.

High-quality early education programs serving low-income children have been proven to produce significant economic returns. Over the long term, high-quality preschool can save up to $16 for every public dollar spent, including savings resulting from reduced crime, corrections and education costs. Preschool also helps cultivate a well-educated, skilled workforce by giving young children a strong foundation of social and intellectual growth.

As a mother of six children, I know first-hand the importance of a quality early education said Assemblymember Gaines. Early education gives kids the right start in life, preparing them for school and career success down the road.”

Unfortunately, families in El Dorado County have limited access to quality preschool programs. Even before recent state budget cuts, only 52% of 3- and 4-year-olds in El Dorado County were enrolled in preschool programs. Chief Nielsen, on behalf of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California and law enforcement officials from across the state, calls for protecting, and as the economy recovers increasing, investments in quality preschool and transitional kindergarten as a means of protecting public safety.  The 2011-2012 state budget eliminated an estimated $107 million in preschool funding, which translates to 22,000 fewer slots for low-income children statewide.

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