LPD Citizen's Academy: Take Advantage of this Opportunity

[Ian Andrews]

As I read and view the turmoil taking place in so many of our communities, I’ve often reflected on my experience in working with Lakewood’s Neighborhood Police program and the officers involved. Lakewood embraces community policing and values the strength in strong relationships between police, residents and business. The fact that Lakewood still has Ward Officers and takes community policing seriously speaks to one more reason why this community is so great. http://onelakewood.com/PublicSafety/Police/NeighborhoodPolicing.aspx

And, Lakewood is one of the few communities that actually invites citizens and those who work here to see the inner-workings of the police department each winter via Citizen’s Academy.

I participated in the 12-week academy in 2014 and it was great because I walked away with a better understanding of the work that police personnel do from patrol officers to detectives to dispatch operators, Judge Carroll, prosecutors, etc. Officer Angela Ortiz (Ward 2) oversees the academy with a solid line-up of guest speakers and demonstrations for participants each week. The range of situations they find themselves in is unreal and TV police shows don’t do the real officers justice. TV actually makes things tougher when a CSI episode can crack the case in 45-50 minutes with crazy high tech, at-your-fingertips, sci-fi facilities, but real police work takes times.

It also gave me a deeper appreciation for their help with the activities LakewoodAlive puts on like the Summer Meltdown, Light Up Lakewood, and others. I knew the police were critical to the success of these events but I didn’t fully appreciate everything that goes into that aspect of pulling these things off. Lt. Warner and his team ensure each event is fully staffed and that attendees are in a safe environment. It’s a big chore. And now Lakewood is an event hub which demands even more police resources (as well as public works, parks, refuse, fire, etc.)

I encourage you to consider taking some time out of your schedule this winter and attend this insightful and intriguing academy. We all have busy lives. This is worth the time. Take advantage of an opportunity most communities don’t offer. Here are the details:

•The Lakewood Police Citizens’ Academy is a twelve-week program starting Wednesday, February 4, 2015 and continuing each Wednesday through April 22nd. The Academy will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lakewood Police Department, 12650 Detroit Avenue.
•Register here: http://onelakewood.com/PublicSafety/Police/CitizensPoliceAcademy.aspx
•For more information, contact Officer Ortiz at (216)701-3063 or angela.ortiz@lakewoodoh.net.

-Ian