C'ville citizens police academy program

Carpentersville residents interested in law enforcement can get hands-on training during a 10-week citizens police academy program hosted by the local police department.

The academy begins January 14 and those interested must commit to the 10 Wednesday evening classes. Participants must be 21 or older and admission requires a consented background check.

Steve Guttenberg and Kim Cattrall won't be in your class, but the academy offers useful hands-on law enforcement techniques and approaches including:

• A history and overview of law enforcement police officer recruitment, selection and training

• Community oriented policing police patrol functions

• Criminal investigations procedures

• Response to resistance (use of force)

• Firearms safety and simulated firearms training

• Defensive tactics

• Crime scene investigations, processing and evidence analysis

• Hazardous moving violations

• Traffic enforcement

• Driving under the influence detection and enforcement

For more information on the police academy, contact Community Resource Officer Michael Salvaggio at (847) 551-3481.

Holiday safety: With the holiday season knocking on the door, the Carpentersville police department and officials have released a laundry list of ways to stay safe in a plethora of situations ranging from shopping at the mall to securing your home while you're on vacation.

The list is provided by University of Baltimore Chief of Police Samuel Tress.

Among the tips, Tress encourages shoppers to pay particular attention to where they park, including away from trucks and vans where potential attackers can hide. Tress says be sure you know where you have parked so you do not waste time trying to locate your vehicle.

With that said, Tress also tells shoppers to park in a well-lit, highly visible location. It may be light when you enter the mall, but as we all know, darkness sets in around 4:30 p.m. these days.

Tress' advice extends to keeping your house safe both while you are home and away.

If you plan on leaving home for a vacation, Tress advises travelers to ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home or apartment. That includes having them park in you car space, checking your mail and shoveling snow if needed.

You can also take steps to protect your home while you are away. Tress says put lights on timers, suspend newspaper subscriptions and mail delivery.

Be safe this holiday season and check out the village's Web site for more information.