A retired NYPD detective brought his longtime DJ mentorship program to Kings County Supreme Court in Downtown Brooklyn, where interns received a live demonstration of mixing and scratching while learning about opportunities in music, according to the Brooklyn Eagle.
Todd Taylor, a retired NYPD detective and entertainment consultant, led the presentation and DJ demonstration Aug. 6. The event was sponsored by the Izetta Johnson Internship Empowerment Program and the Summer Youth Employment Program.
Taylor’s program is designed for New York City youth ages 12 to 19 and uses DJing as a way to teach skills, provide a creative outlet and help young people avoid gangs and other trouble.
“A lot of times when people see police officers, they would never think that we would do something like this,” said Taylor. “Pretty much everybody is into music. The goal is for kids to have a good time and learn something in the process.”
The program holds classes Saturdays from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the NYPD Community Center in Brooklyn, with additional classes planned at schools, YMCAs and Boys & Girls Clubs. The only requirement to participate is an interest in music.
Born in East Flatbush, Taylor began DJing at age 13 and joined the NYPD in 1990, working in the 77th Precinct in Crown Heights. After seeing young people in his community become involved in gangs and other trouble, he sought a position as a youth officer.
In the mid-1990s, Taylor began recruiting neighborhood youth who wanted to learn how to DJ. He continued teaching on Saturdays and later moved into community affairs, where he worked with the Police Athletic League. He retired from the NYPD in 2010.
Taylor said young people he mentored decades ago have gone on to work for his entertainment company, connecting the program's early Brooklyn roots with opportunities in the music and entertainment industry.
The program's Saturday classes remain available to New York City youth ages 12 to 19. Taylor also plans to bring the DJ lessons to additional youth-serving organizations and community locations throughout the city.
