03/09/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lino Lakes Police Department in 2008 Ongoing Successes Volunteer Program - Enhanced and expanded the volunteer program with over 7,700 hours do- nated to the city by volunteers in the police department. The volunteer program added fifty -five new members: ten Reserve Officers, four Explorers, thirty -nine CERT members, and two regu- lar in -house volunteers to help in the front office and with investigations. Five neighborhood Crime Watch groups were added for a total of seventy -four groups in the city. Fifty neighborhoods throughout the city held National Night Out celebrations ranging from fifteen participants to over three hundred participants. Neighborhood Crime Watch - It is essential that all citizens of Lino Lakes be aware of N t A‘ the importance of crime prevention programs and the impact that residents can have CRIME on reducing crime and drug abuse in their community. WATCH Neighbors were urged to start or join a Crime Watch group in their neighborhood. Crime can shatter a neighborhood and create a climate of fear and mistrust. People may withdraw into their homes. Then as isolation increases, so does crime. Crime Watch groups learn ways to keep their homes and neighborhoods secure. We provide a monthly newsletter "10 -8" to keep our Neighborhood Watch Groups informed about the criminal activity in their neighborhoods, provide public safety related information, and an update on the activities of their police department. Public Safety Citizens Academy (PSCA) - This academy gives participants an opportunity to experience training similar to the training offered police officers and firefighters. The Lino Lakes Police Department, along with Centennial Fire District, held its eleventh annual Public Safety Citizen's Academy. This is a seven week program providing participants with an opportunity to participate in training similar to what new police officers and fire fighters experience. The program encompasses department histories and organization, patrol and investigation division functions, use of force, self - defense tactics, PTO - Police Training Program, DARE, Crime Prevention, handcuffing techniques, traffic enforcement, high risk vehicle stops, firearms, car fire simulator, use of fire extinguishers and emergency management. Participants learned about the philosophy of community policing, wore the protective gear used in fire fighting, investigated a fire, watched a mock robbery, and had an opportunity to describe the suspect. A tour of Central Communications, the Anoka County Dispatch Center, was also provided. The main goal of the program is to increase citizen awareness of the Lino Lakes Police Department and Centennial Fire District, and to allow interested citizens insight into modern day policing and firefighting. 4w 11