CAMDEN — By BRADLY GILL
Staff writer
Dana Wetherbee, public relations officer with the Camden Police Department spoke at the Camden Noon Lions Club weekly meeting at Catherine’s Bistro and told the organization about a few of the events the CPD has to further improve the policy of community policing.
The first is the Citizen’s Police Academy, which according to Wetherbee, has just one spot available. The classes run from March 26 through May 7.
CPA is a seven week course held at the Camden Police Department from 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday.
There are no minimum physical requirements to participate. Students will not be asked to do anything they do not wish to do.
Attendees will participate in role-playing involving a variety of different police-related scenarios. Members of the CPD feel that the program is a great experience for civilians of any age or anyone considering a career in law enforcement. Attendees will learn about different activities that go on in the Camden Police Department including: patrol procedures, dispatch, criminal investigation division, defensive tactics (pepper spray, Taser, baton, handcuffs), special teams, domestic violence, DWI’s, traffic stops, civilian response to active shooter events, and shoot/ don’t shoot scenarios.
Wetherbee also announced the return of the annual Easter Egg hunt on Good Friday in April.
“What we’re going to do is basically what we did last year. We have black eggs with blue tape. Thin blue line Easter Eggs. We’re going to hide over 200 eggs on the night of the 18th in Camden. And it’s going to be all downtown, parks or The Trace,” Wetherbee said.
In addition to candy special eggs will hold certain prizes including eggs containing certificates for one of nine bikes recently donated by a local resident. The bikes range from children to adult sizes so everyone can get in on the phone. Wetherbee also said that coupons for local restaurants will be hidden in some eggs.
The egg hunt will take place on Good Friday when area schools are dismissed.
Finally Wetherbee said the CPD will have a booth at the upcoming First Friday Market that will focus on the Neighborhood watch program and that the CPD will be pulling a “children’s train” with the department’s side by side vehicle.