I don't really see a problem keeping this on the list, personally,
since this isn't really just about "police good/bad" and ties into the
larger picture of ethical donations/funding, etc.
I would still question how long the funding was going to be there. It
seems like you have done pretty solid economic analysis, but that is
only for one year, as far as I can tell. If they sponsor this for one
year, they use it as a "look what we did for the community" as long as
it's effective, then when the initial PR is over, they drop the
funding (maybe they won't). The community isn't going to point the
finger at the police, they are going to think that it was you who
pulled the plug. Either that or you will keep the programming going at
your own expense. Unless you have a mission and programming that is
very different than most, I don't really see how this program they are
proposing is any different than what you already do, except you will
be open more hours. My gut reaction
is that they are going to throw 3500 at you and then feel free to drop
off "troubled" kids there whenever they feel like. I think that if
this was a need in our community it would be better off being
supported by the people it's serving rather than the police. Also, If
the police are serious about this being about you making the shop more
accessible to at-risk youth, then maybe you could work out a grant
that would be used to extend your hours during the summer months with
no strings attached. Not trying to be confrontational or paint police
with an "all bad" brush (we recently were donated 200 bikes from the
police so....)
Andy
FMCBW