ALLSTATE INSURANCE OFFERS "LAW AND YOU" PROGRAM

Allstate Insurance is collaborating with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives to teach youth how to work with police officers.

The program entitled "The Law and You" is offered locally by Allstate agent J.J. Williamson of Cape Girardeau. The program provides guidelines for interacting with law enforcement officials and a special identification card teens can use to record emergency contact information, including the phone number of an attorney.

"'The Law and You' initiative was created in response to the difficult fact that too many encounters between young people and officers of the law end in tragedy," Williamson said. "Our goal is to strengthen the communication process between the two and in the process strengthen the communities we serve."

Williamson said most teens don't realize that officers are following standard procedures in the line of duty. Information provided through this program explains what those procedures are in situations that might involve interaction with law officers, he said.

Although the program is a collaborative effort with two national organizations involving African Americans, WIlliamson said any youth or adult can benefit from the information.

"It's not just for black youths; youths from any ethnic background need to know how to conduct themselves when they're in the presence of an officer," he said.

Anyone interested in obtaining materials or information about the program can call visit Williamson's office at 334 N. Frederick or call (573) 339-0545.