By John Few
Madison Magazine

The Madison Police is aiming to send several residents through a newly formed "Citizens Academy."

For anyone who has ever wanted to know what it takes to be a police officer or what exactly community oriented policing is all about, Office Jonathon Muecke said this program will help answer their question. He says it will also give citizens better insight into what the police department does on a routine and sometimes not so routine basis.

The new program will begin on Jan. 12, 2010 and run through Feb. 9, 2010. The academy will take place on Tuesday nights from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Madison City Hall in the city council chambers. There is no charge to participate, but the academy will be limited to the first 25 applicants.

"I wanted to create a program that would make it possible for the citizens of Madison and police to come together, to see what the concerns of the citizens are, as well as those of the police department in regards to fighting crime," said Muecke, who is heading up the program. "The goal is to make citizens better informed of what we do so we can help them out further."

"The Madison Police Department's Citizen Academy will provide a behind the scenes look at the police department," said Muecke. "The program offers a balance of lecture and hands-on activities designed to teach basic policing techniques."

The 5-week academy is taught by various police personnel.

Participants will tour the Police Department, learn about basic booking procedures and explore other areas of crime prevention and criminal investigations. Participants will be given the opportunity to role-play scenes as police officers. They will learn about community involved problem solving strategies, patrol procedures, and participate in a firearms safety program.

The Community Development component will address activities such as Community Watch, the Police Foundation, and Rape Aggression Defense classes.

To register or if you would like more information, visit www.madisonal.gov - CitizenPoliceAcademy or contact Officer Jonathan Muecke at (256) 772-2569.

Madison HOA Network to sponsor seminar

The Madison Homeowners Association Network will sponsor a seminar presented by Attorney Angela Ary, with the law firm of Heard Ary, LLC, on The Law & HOAs, HOA Disclosure & Consumer Protection.

The seminar will be held Sunday, Dec. 6t, 1:30 p.m. at the Walden Homeowners Association Clubhouse, 208 Walden Glen Rd, in Madison.

In addition to 58 Madison city members and participants, many other participants from outside the city are expected to attend.

Members from all area homeowner and condominium associations are encouraged to attend this meeting.

The mission of the Madison Homeowners Association Network is to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among all homeowner associations, organized communities and homeowners who wish to participate.

The Network’s focus is to build positive relationships and be good neighbors. This is also an excellent networking opportunity.

To learn more about the Madison HOA Network, visit their website at www.themadisonhoanetwork.org, contact them by e-mail at NetworkNews@knology.org or by phone at (256) 509-7060.