Johnston Police Department Offers Safety Classes

The  protects and serves the community, but did you know its officers also offer safety classes for residents?

Lt. Lynn Aswegan said the department tries to accommodate any request for safety education.

"If there's an association or a group that would like us to come and talk about a particular topic, we do everything we can to accommodate that request," Aswegan said. "Primarily we've had requests for residential security, personal security/safety, identity theft or some internet crimes."

The department can adapt and provide information on any topic, Aswegan said.

Check out these crime prevention tips from the Johnston Police Department.

This week, the department will present two safety programs for neighborhoods.

Tonight the department will present a program on identity theft for the Linden Circle Townhome Association at 6:30 p.m. at the Johnston Public Library.

On Sunday, officers will present a program for the Glen Stone Ridge neighborhood at Simpson Barn.

"We try to keep it an open dialogue as much as possible," Aswegan said of the programs. "We do talk, but we are looking for questions and feedback from the audience. So we answer questions and address issues that are most important to them."

The crux of the program deals with local issues, but does brush on national issues.

"We try to keep it to crimes or activity that we can confirm in the immediate areas, rather than bring outside state activity, we try to have a local relevance."

While the more people in attendance the better, the department does not have a size restriction on programs.

Although certain neighborhoods or groups may request a program, others in the community are welcome to partake, Aswegan said.

"Like tonight, it's a special request, but that doesn't mean people can't come and be in attendance," he said. "We don't restrict the audience."

Residents interested in having a safety program presentation can contact Lt Aswegan, Sgt. Eric Spring or Officer Rich Kirkeby at 278-2345.