Vernon Hills police to host law enforcement exhibition

The Vernon Hills Police Department will host its 7th Annual Law Enforcement Exhibition Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11, at Westfield Hawthorn Mall.

The event is designed for area law enforcement and related agencies to gather in one location for people to see specialty vehicles, equipment and demonstrations and to interact with officers. It is also used as a public education and recruitment tool by the police.

On display will be specialty vehicles such as “The Bear” and a Sept. 11 tribute squad, a 9-1-1 calling simulator, squad cars, motorcycles and police bicycle units, as well as some surprises.

Also featured is the Firearms Training Simulator, an interactive video game-type police training unit that presents various situations where the officer has to determine whether it's a shoot or no-shoot scenario.

The computer tracks the reaction time and location of any shots fired and can be reviewed afterward. The unit will be set up in the old Champs store by the children's area and will be run by the Vernon Hills Police Department.

Other activities include:

Ÿ Police K9 demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday on the lower level in front of the Victoria's Secret Life is Pink store.

Ÿ Weather permitting, a police helicopter will land at 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot outside of Sears and will stay for about 90 minutes.

Ÿ The Illinois Freemasons will supply detailed identification kits for children, including fingerprints, photos and video interviews on the lower level next to the children's play area — the old Flash Photography store.

Ÿ A special Sept. 11 ceremony is set for Sunday at noon in front of Mario Tricoci. Look for the fire trucks holding up the huge American flag. The ceremony will honor those lost 10 years ago in the terrorist attacks. There will be an honor guard entrance, a few guest speakers and some musical performances. The ceremony should last no more than 25 minutes.

Mall hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11. Westfield Hawthorn Mall is at routes 60 and 21 in Vernon Hills.

For details and a list of participating agencies, visit www.VHPD.com, “Upcoming Events,” or call (847) 247-4889.