May 8, 2007
CITY TO PARTICIPATE IN PACHANGA
Various departments and divisions from the City of Midland will participate in the Pachanga event scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2007, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The celebration will take place at Dunagan Park, 600 E. Gist. The community is invited to attend this free event.
Representatives from Code Enforcement, Police & Fire, the Health Department, Community Development Block Grant, and Parks & Recreation will pass out information about various programs. There will also be information available regarding job opportunities with the City of Midland.
Police & Fire will display trucks, vehicles, and other equipment as well as the “smoke house” being available for children.
Pachanga is hosted by Comunidad in Action. It is an opportunity for neighbors to come together, learn more about their community, and have a chance to fellowship with others.
MEMORIAL BIKE RIDE
The Midland Police Department will participate in a memorial bike ride. The event will take place on Sunday, May 13, 2007, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The route will start at the Midland Police Department, 601 N. Loraine.
The bike ride kicks off National Law Enforcement Week. The ride will honor fallen Texas Officers as well as the two M.P.D. officers that died in the line of duty in 1961. The ride will be 15 miles; one mile for each Texas Officer (13) plus M.P.D.’s two.
The Permian Basin Bicycle Association will participate and show their support.
Anyone interested in participating in the bike ride should contact the MPD at 685.7964.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
The Midland Police Department will host the annual Peace Officer’s Memorial Service in connection with Law Enforcement Week. The public is encouraged to attend.
The service is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at 10:00 p.m. in Centennial Plaza.
The service honors law enforcement officers who have lost their lives protecting their communities. Thirteen Texas Peace Officers died in the line of duty from May 1, 2006 – April 30, 2007.
They are: Trooper Eduardo Chavez Texas Department of Public Safety, Patrolman Gregory Dean Stewart Beeville Police Department, Constable Dale Geddie Smith County Constable’s Office, Lt. James Lee Sunderland Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Rodney Johnson Houston Police Department, Officer Dwayne Freeto Fort Worth Police Department, Deputy Rahamy Mitchell Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, Chief of Police Ernest V. Mendoza Needville Independent School District Police Department, Trooper Todd Holmes Texas Department of Public Safety Game Warden Justin Hurst Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Sr. Corporal Mark Timothy Nix Dallas Police Department Officer Andrew Esparza Irving Police Department, Officer Lisa Beaulieu Beaumont Police Department.
Also being remembered are two Midland Police Department officers who died in the line of duty. Brian Scoggins, 4-14-61, and Gordon Smith, Jr., 11-28-61. Scoggins died while working motorcycle patrol. Smith was killed by a murder suspect.
Representatives from several area law enforcement agencies will participate in the service.
EXPLORERS
The Midland Police Department’s Explorer Program is up and running again. For the past year, the program has gained momentum and is growing in numbers and in recognition.
The Law Enforcement Explorer Post (Post 714) is a program for young people between the ages of 14 (completed the eighth grade) and 20 who wish to pursue their interest of a career in police work. Currently there are eight Explorers in the Post. They learn a lot of things the officers learn in training but on a milder level.
On Monday, May 14, 2007, from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., the MPD Explorers will meet. The media is invited to attend the gathering and develop a story.
Some of the Explorers learn that police work is not for everyone. Some choose to pursue other related fields. The program is about more than preparing someone for a career in law enforcement, it is about building leaders. There are currently four MPD officers that were once explorers.
The Explorer Program has four specific goals:
- Gain practical experience in the career interest of the post.
- Engage in program activities centered on five emphasis areas (career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character education, and leadership experience) to encourage the development of the whole person.
- Experience positive leadership from adult and youth leaders and have the opportunity to take on leadership roles.
- Have a chance to learn and grow in a supportive, caring, and fun environment.
The Post meets on the second and fourth Monday of each month at the MPD.
Anyone who is interested in becoming and MPD Explorer should contact the department at 685.7964.
TRAUMA AWARENESS DAY
The Midland Fire Department will participate in Trauma Awareness Day on May 16, 2007. This year’s event will be held in conjunction with a Midland RockHounds game.
The event kicks off at 9:00 a.m. and should run until 2:00 p.m. with the game starting at 11:00 a.m. Approximately 3000 students throughout the 17 county Texas “J” Regional Advisory Council areas will attend.
The goal of Trauma Awareness Day is to prevent trauma related injuries or death. The event will help educate students of the dangers of many “unsafe” activities in which young adults and children participate. This will include the dangers of drinking and driving, the importance of wearing a seatbelt, and suicide prevention.
Exhibits and booths will be staged throughout the Ball Park.
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