Crime Scene

If your children are interested in a career in public safety, one way for them to get a taste of it is through “junior academiesâ€? sponsored by local police and fire departments. In Peekskill, the city Police Department has announced the start of its 5th annual Peekskill Youth Police Academy on July 23. Children between the ages of 12 and 15 learn about police work by working side-by-side with some of Peekskill finest to learn what it’s like to be a cop in this little city by the Hudson River. The children will be spending 10 days over a two-week period from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., learning in classrooms and on the street. They’ll participate in mock traffic stops, learn about arrest procedures, building searches and crime-scene investigations. The academy, according to veteran Peekskill Lt. Kathy Johansen, emphasizes why police do what they do so the cadets can come away with an understanding of what officers face on a daily basis. Students will also take field trips to various places, including the Westchester Police Academy and Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Officer Andre Wright, the academy’s primary instructor, said that thanks to the generosity of Peekskill merchants, other police agencies and City Hall, Peekskill police will again hold the academy this year with no cost to the students. “The success of this program is due to the generous outpouring of support from the community and other law-enforcement agencies as well as the backing of our city government,â€? Wright said. “Without everyone’s help, we could not have pulled this off without charging a fee to the kids.” This year’s program is filled up with 25 cadets and five senior supervisors. However, it’s not too late to reserve a space for next year’s session. Call Lt. Johansen at 914-737-8000 for information on the 2008 Peekskill Youth Police Academy.
Now if chasing bad people isn’t your thing but running into burning buildings is, then check out the Cold Spring Junior Firefighting Academy, which also kicks off July 23 and runs for a week. In the academy, held at the Cold Spring firehouse on Main Street, students learn about firefighting and the important role physical fitness plays in that profession. The academy, which is in its fifth year, includes training in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid and fire safety. This year’s class is also filled with 50 students — the most ever — but there’s always next year. For information, contact the Philipstown Recreation Department at 845-424-4618 or e-mail the Fire Department at coldspringfd@aol.com.