Glendale police hope to ‘open up dialogue’ with youth through Teen Academy

A group of teenagers scanned an area of the Glendale Police Department parking lot on Wednesday, where a car door was riddled with bullet holes next to a knife, a lone shoe and some clothes.

The fake crime scene — blocked off by yellow police tape — was part of the agency’s first Teen Academy, a monthlong program that qualifies teens for a ridealong with a Glendale police officer.

After taking in the scene, the group of 30 teens, who ranged in age from 13 to 18, learned how to dust for fingerprints and detect blood.

Glendale Police Dept. Forensics DNA tech Brianne Henderson, left, shows teen academy participant Natalia Lopez, 13, of Glendale High School, what type of fingerprints she has during class at Glendale police headquarters on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)

“The idea behind it is to kind of bridge the gap between law enforcement and the youth in our community, and open up dialogue and communication,” said Glendale Police Officer Michelle Gonzalez.

Clark Magnet High School student Nanyere “NJ” Nathan, 16, was most impressed by the chemical that, when sprayed, made blood glow in the dark.

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“I like how we do the hands-on (activities),” Nathan said, adding that he tried on a pair of handcuffs to see if he’d be able to get out. He couldn’t.

As part of the program, the teens will also tour the agency’s substation at the Hollywood Burbank Airport and watch presentations by the department’s K-9 Unit and crisis negotiators.

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek

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