In keeping with Sheriff Tompkins’ steadfast commitment to youth education, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department reaffirmed its position as a force for safety information, class materials accessibility, and holistic well-being support ahead of the 2024 Fall school year. SCSD officers demonstrated their care by visiting schools across Suffolk County to engage with students of all ages and promote a supportive learning environment. From Franklin D. Roosevelt School in Hyde Park to St. John Paul II Catholic Academy and Sarah Greenwood Schools in Dorchester, they distributed essential school supplies for children in need. These visits spanned neighborhoods such as Roxbury, Mattapan, and Dorchester, reinforcing the importance of scholastic encouragement from trusted leaders and public safety officials. A key focus of these school visits was the SCSD’s Choice Program presentations, designed to empower students with critical life skills and decision-making tools. The Choice Program emphasizes a number of harm-reduction lesson plans, including anti-bullying, resisting peer pressure and substance use, and promoting internet safety. Initiated by Sherrif Tompkins, the mission of the Choice Program is to equip younger generations with the tools to make wise decisions for their health and future, and in doing so, prevent ensuing emergencies, reduce arrest rates, and empower academic motivation. Officers took the time to understand the challenges young people face at the elementary, middle, and high school stages, offering guidance on how to more positively react. These presentations aim to instill the values of responsibility and self-awareness, helping students navigate the complexities of growing up in today’s world. With a new round of Choice officers preparing for expanded mentorship in 2025, the value of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department has been cemented within the Suffolk County Public School District.