Park Ridge Police Offer Citizens Academy For Seniors

Park Ridge police are inviting seniors to take a program called the Senior Police Academy, promising to teach them the ins and outs of police work and focus on issues important to them.  

While final details are still being hammered out, the class is tentatively scheduled between 9 and 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Senior Center, 100 S. Western Ave., said Park Ridge Police Cmdr. Jason Leavitt. The program is designed to teach residents about police work but also help police build a relationship with the public, Leavitt said. 

This program is for people who live or work in Park Ridge and are ages 55 and up, he said. Most of the people who have signed up are between 65 and 70 years old, he said.

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Unlike the Citizens Police Academy, which is for adults of all ages and lasts about 10 weeks, this one will be shorter, about six weeks, he said. It will also take place during the day while the Citizens Police Academy takes place in the evenings.

The senior program will also focus on crimes against seniors like ruses perpetrated by criminals who gain access to houses in order to trick seniors into giving them money, said Park Ridge Deputy Chief Lou Jogmen.

It will also teach participants about a variety of police topics, including forensics, crime scene analysis and police resources, Jogmen said.

On the last night of the class, there will be a graduation ceremony and participants will receive certificates.  

The idea for a senior academy started earlier this year when Leavitt was at the Senior Center talking about police programs. Many seniors told him that while they wanted to take the academy classes, they were reluctant to do so, Leavitt said. 

"Many said they didn't want to, or couldn't, drive at night," he said. 

So far, about 20 people have signed up for the class with room for about 15 more, he said.

To be part of the program, calls Leavitt at 847-318-5263. 

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