What Inspired YCT

It all started when...

Ashley's nickname in the police academy was "The Shark," so she often gets tagged in shark-related media (and has received some pretty sweet shark loot). One day, she got tagged on Facebook in a video from Project Earth. The video (linked above) outlined OCEARCH's goal to undo everything JAWS did for sharks and features one very special shark, Katharine.

Ashley watched the video and immediately knew the connection: police officers and sharks have a lot in common.

Much like Ms. Katharine, police officers are often feared by those we've sworn to protect. We share the commonality of the "no story, no story, no story...SHARK ATTACK" with "no news, no news, no news...POLICE BRUTALITY!" The point is that our mistakes, too, are one in thousands.

As most cops would attest, "community policing" is not something new or ground breaking. Every day (and night) around the country, police officers practice community policing--it just isn't called that.

Ashley is inspired every single day by the actions of amazing, dedicated, courageous people she calls her brothers and sisters. She hopes to show the community what she sees while she is on shift--people who care deeply about their community, who want to protect the people they serve, and who bravely step in when others step away.

Like OCEARCH, You Can, Too aims to replace fear with facts and help change the way the community interacts with the police and the police interact with the community.