【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. initiative / ɪˈnɪʃ i ə tɪv / (n.) – a step or action made to start something
Example: You need to take initiative at work.
2. unveil / ʌnˈveɪl / (v.) – to reveal something to the public
Example: The company unveiled the new product through a press conference.
3. dub / dʌb / (v.) – to give a name or title
Example: This movie was dubbed “Best Film of 2015.”
4. care package / kɛər ˈpæk ɪdʒ / (n.) – a package containing some necessities
Example: Have you received the care package that Mom sent us?
5. humanize / ˈhyu məˌnaɪz / (v.) – to make humane, kind, or gentle
Example: The author decided to humanize the murderer in his story.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Several police departments in the United States introduced new initiatives to reach out to the community on a more positive note.
The St. Louis [seynt LOO-is] police department unveiled a new vehicle designed to look like an ordinary ice cream truck but painted police blue. Dubbed Operation Polar Cops, the truck will give away ice cream during various events at parks, community centers, and schools. The project’s goal is to provide citizens a chance to get to know the police officers within a fun and safe environment.
Meanwhile, the Denver police department in Colorado used food and sports as a means of connecting with the community. Around 40 children from the public housing neighborhood rode their bicycles with some police officers to visit Colorado’s popular professional football team, the Denver Broncos. The children met the team in a mini-camp and ate lunch with the police officers afterwards.
In Boston, police officers paid a visit to the Boston Children Hospital to see a special patient named Owen Nichols. The boy was in the hospital to undergo 18 surgeries to correct a birth defect. Owen loved the police, so to brighten his day, police officers decided to visit him. He was given a care package containing t-shirts, a badge, crayons, coloring books, and a backpack.
After handing over the package, Boston Police Sergeant Silta presented him with a police shirt and badge and declared him “Police Chief for the Day.”
US police departments are now aiming to introduce officers as helpful role models by using light and fun approaches.
Sergeant Lovato of the Denver Police Department says that their goal is to “humanize the badge,” or to let the people know that police officers are also people who are willing to lend everyone a helping hand.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think these initiatives are helpful in letting the police reach out to the community? Why or why not?
· What are other fun and positive ways that the police can make use of?
Discussion B
· Do government agencies always need to connect to the people? Why or why not?
· If the police did this in your country, how do you think people would respond?
