December 18, 2006
HOME SAFETY
The Midland Police Department is offering tips for residents
planning to travel out of town for the Christmas and New Year holidays. There are a few easy steps to take to ensure that your home is safe while you are away.
Deadbolt all doors and lock all windows. This includes removing keys from double cylinder deadbolts.
Stop delivery of mail and newspaper. If you have a neighbor that you trust, ask them to pick up your paper and mail.
Leave on an interior light. Let criminals think someone is at home. A light timer is the best.
Leave a radio or television on. Again, a timer hook up is best.
Close all window blinds and curtains. Keep valuables out of sight, especially presents under the tree.
Leave a car parked in the driveway. If that is not possible, ask a neighbor to use your driveway while you are away.
Turn off garage door opener power. Don’t chance that a thief might be able to trigger your door open. Simply cut off the power to the door.
Don’t let a thief steal your Christmas…play it safe!!!
M.P.D. NAMED FLAGSHIP AGENCY
Honored with Fifth Straight Accreditation
The Midland Police Department is proud to announce its Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. This is the fifth time the M.P.D. has met the requirements of a highly regarded department. The Midland City Council will honor the M.P.D. at the December 19th City Council meeting.
In addition to the re-accreditation, the M.P.D. was selected as a Flagship Agency. The Flagship Agency Program was introduced two years ago to acknowledge the achievement and expertise of some of the most successful CALEA Accredited agencies, and also to provide “flagship examples” to assist others.
CALEA staff selects Flagship Agencies, by agency type and accreditation program, based primarily on their past performance. M.P.D. was recognized as a Flagship Agency the first year of eligibility. Of the 70 law enforcement agencies up for re-accreditation in November, 12 were designated as flagship agencies. Three of the 12 are from Texas including Midland, Austin, and College Station.
The M.P.D. must meet over 400 requirements and standards to be an accredited agency. This represents the agency’s ongoing acceptance of the obligation to continue the quest for professional excellence. The process holds the department accountable and sets the bar for professionalism.
The M.P.D. met with assessors in August and also held a public hearing, inviting citizen input.
This is the fifth time the department has sought accreditation. The commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. first awarded the M.P.D. accreditation in 1994. Reaccreditation occurs every three years.
M.F.D. TEAMS UP WITH COM
They needed concrete removed and the Fire Department wanted a good training opportunity. So the Midland Fire Department and the City of Midland Aquatic Center joined efforts to benefit both.
The COM Aquatic Center was undergoing extensive remodeling in the pool area. When the Fire Department learned about the project, they jumped at the chance to help out. The remodel required the tearing out of large slabs of concrete giving the Fire Department an opportunity to use their tools designed for use in a structural collapse situation. Actual emergencies involving structural collapse of buildings occur infrequently and the fire crews were able to spend hours utilizing their special concrete cutting saws, cutting torches, and other rescue tools.
The department was able to gain valuable experience training on collapse procedures in a realistic environment. As a result of the training, the Midland Fire Department is better prepared to respond to any emergency involving the rescue of trapped victims in a structural collapse situation and the COM received some much needed help with their project.
CITY COUNCIL RECOGNIZES MPD FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
The Midland City Council will recognize the Midland Police Department for its efforts in gaining national recognition. The recognition will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at the City Council Meeting. Recently, the National Association of Town Watch honored Midland as a national award winner for its outstanding participation in National Night Out.
The Midland Police Department held the event on August 1, 2006, in conjunction with other cities from across the nation. In the category for cities with population from 50,000-99,999, Midland placed 8th in the country.
Five out of the top ten in this category were Texas cities. There were 11,125 entries nationwide and hundreds in Midland's category.
Midland had a total of 76 parties on National Night Out with an estimated 2,900 citizens participating. In all, there were 5.3 parties in every square residential mile within the City.
The annual event is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community relations, and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are fighting back.
This was Midland’s 23rd year to participate in National Night Out. The Midland Police Department began competing for the award in 1998. Since then, the MPD has received national recognition with seven awards.
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