THE SCOUTING PROGRAM WAS INITIALLY STARTED AS A PUBLIC RELATIONS GESTURE AND AS A WAY TO INFORM YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT POLICE WORK. SOON, HOWEVER, THE EXPLORERS PROVED THEMSELVES AN EXCELLENT SERVICE GROUP. MANY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CALLED UPON THEM TO HELP WITH SECURITY AND CROWD CONTROL. WHEN A CRIME RISE TAKES PLACE IN A SPECIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD, TEAMS OF YOUNG EXPLORERS HAND OUT CRIME PREVENTION LITERATURE AND CONDUCT BLOCK MEETINGS SIMILAR TO THOSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEETINGS. DURING THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON WHEN BURGLARIES AND THEFTS FROM CARS ARE A MAJOR PROBLEM, EXPLORERS ARE DISPATCHED TO SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOTS TO PUT LITERATURE ON THE WINDSHIELDS REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE VALUABLES IN PLAIN SIGHT. EXPLORERS HAVE ALSO HELPED TO HUNT FOR LOST CHILDREN, HAVE ORGANIZED JUNIOR CRIME WATCH PROGRAMS, AND HAVE CONDUCTED TOURS OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS. THEY ALSO HELP WITH THE BICYCLE SAFETY PROGRAM, AUGMENT POLICE AT LARGE COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS, ANSWER PHONES AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, AND ACT AS INTERPRETERS IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS. RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING, THE KEY TO A GOOD EXPLORER PROGRAM, ARE COVERED AS WELL AS THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUCH A PROGRAM. (GLR)