GOOD WORK KINGSLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

Kingsland Police get back to community

In a time where free-flowing money from the Department of Homeland Security has led many smaller police forces, like those in Camden County, to spend thousands of dollars on special weapons and training to deal with the very remote possibility of a local terrorist attack, it is good to see that one department - the Kingsland Police Department - is focusing on making a real difference with good old fashioned community policing programs.

Elementary school students are learning all about personal safety via the "Yello Dyno" program. The program uses songs to teach children about "tricky people" - drug pushers, bullies, child abusers, etc. - so they can avoid them and stay safe. Once children know how to recognize deceptive behavior, they are also given tools about how to avoid and escape danger.

The "Eddie Eagle" program also focuses on the youngest students, teaching them about the dangers of unattended guns. The program's mantra is "Stop! Don't touch! Leave the area! Tell an adult!" The program does not make value judgments about guns, but emphasizes safety.

"Fatal Vision" is a hands on program that shows how dangerous it can be to drink and drive. Targeting children ages 12 and up, the program uses special goggles that distort vision and cause behavior similar to that of a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Participants get and immediate and visceral demonstration of why no one should drive under the influence.

The KPD encourages neighborhoods and businesses to band together and form Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch groups. The program has been one of the department's longest running and most successful community policing initiatives. New groups are always encouraged and the police department can provide the paperwork and training necessary to get a program running.

Still in the planning stages is a "Police Explorers Post" for Kingsland. Explorers programs allow high school age students to learn about law enforcement via direct contact with officers on the job. Students participate in experiential learning about law enforcement, while developing leadership skills and possibly building toward a career in the field. The program has its first meeting set for 7 p.m., Nov. 15 at the new Kingsland Welcome Center.

Finally, the KPD is planning a "Citizens Police Academy" possibly to begin in early 2008. The academy will allow adult citizens with in interest in law enforcement to take a series of classes that will bring them closer to the officers on the streets. The program is not designed to train people for a law enforcement career, rather to show citizens the complex nature of modern policing and how Kingsland's professional officers put their training into the field every day.

courtesy of the Tribune & Georgian