Our guests for the evening were the Mayor of Hammond, Thomas McDermott jr., Assistant Police Chief Doughty, Assistant Fire Chief Moore, K9 Officers, City Council members, a face painter for the children, door prizes and Pitch Black, a percussion group of young men from Gavit H.S.

Our objective is to make Hammond a better and safer place to live and raise our children.  As concerned residents we have an obligation to be the eyes and ears for our police department and I thank you all for participating. ..

We also kicked off our Coat Drive that is in cooperation with Kusiak Kares and North Township Trustee, Frank Mrvan for those less fortunate than us.  If you have any coats, especially for children, that are in good condition but perhaps too big or too small please contact one of us and we will be happy to pick them up.

Again, thank you for your interest and participation.  After all “Community is not just about ME it’s about US.

Janet Venecz, Edison Community Watch
email janet_venecz@ameritech.net

Anne Herbert, Pullman Crime Watch
email adherb3@sbcglobal.net

Chris Fleming, Woodmar Crime Watch
email bomber_1969@yahoo.com.

We invite the City of Hammond to join us for an evening of crime and drug awareness, neighborhood camaraderie and fun for the children.

The attached outlines the activities for the evening in addition to information about the “Coat Drive” we are working on.

National Night Out Flyer   Coats Wanted Flyer

If any of you would like to pass out fliers in your neighborhood please let me know.

We look forward to seeing you all August 4th.

Wishing all of you a Happy and Safe 4th of July,

Janet Venecz, Edison Community Watch

Chris Fleming, Woodmar Crime Watch

Anne Herbert, Pullman Crime Watch

The Hammond Police Department is asking that if someone comes to your door you do not know or are not expecting, call the Police Department immediately (911) and DO NOT let them into your home. When the police get there, we will check the person out and make sure he is legitimate. We would rather be called on a false alarm than not be called and miss out on an opportunity to catch these men.?

Anyone with information on these types of crimes should call Lt. Mike Daniels 852-2961 or Sgt. Steve Guernsey 852-2978.

In short, Sgt. Alcox stressed the need for a K-9 kennel/shelter/training facility. Currently, the HPD owns the land directly next to the Hammond Police station. It is at this location where the K-9 facility will be built.

Shelter Features:

• Kennels/Dog Houses - Indoor/Outdoor facilities.
• Heating Pads for the winter months
• Bathing Area
• Training Field/Demonstration Area with jumps, tunnels, etc…
• Surrounded by a 6-foot fence

When an officer has to fill out a report, they are sometimes in the police station for a good hour and a half. This facility would allow the dogs to stay there - instead of in the squad cars. This would save gas year-round.

When an officer is out of town, their K-9 partners could stay in this facility. These K-9 “officers” could then be fed and taken care of by other police personnel that they recognize. You and I could NOT feed these dogs, or take them out for a walk. They would see us as a threat or combatant.

This facility would also be open to other K-9 officers in Lake County.

Dave has already suggested that all Crime Watch groups throughout Hammond ask each member present during their meetings to donate at least $1.00 for this K-9 fundraiser. Any checks given should be made out to “Hammond Crime Watch” - and specifically “ear-marked” for K-9 purposes.

A K-9 account has already been set up at:

First Federal Savings & Loan
(Hohman Ave. & Rimbach IN DOWNTOWN HAMMOND)

Any money collected should be deposited into that account. Our hope is to eventually give Sgt. Alcox a huge donation of “seed” money so that construction can start. Alcox is presently getting approximate costs for the building and maintenance of the K-9 facility.

The volunteer efforts of two local gals was recognized recently. Cindy Jansky and Dorothy Colvin were both presented with the Advocate for Children Award at Hammond Mayor Tom McDermott Jr.’s Volunteer Luncheon. Held on Friday November 2nd at the Jean Shepherd Community Center, the Volunteer Luncheon is an annual event designed to recognize hard-working, dedicated volunteers of all ages throughout our city in many different catagories.
 
Cindy and Dorothy were recognized for their efforts to help bring the NRA-sponsored “Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program” to area schools. The heart and soul of the “Eddie Eagle” character - teaching children from Kindergarten through 5th grade what to do if they find a gun - is literally brought to life by Cindy and Dorothy. Taking turns dressing as the kid-friendly “Eddie Eagle” character, they, along with Ken Baker - the Instructor of the Gun Safety Program - make certain that children understand four important rules.
 
“Stop! Don’t Touch! Leave the Area! Tell an Adult” has been the message shouted proudly by Ken, Cindy, Dorothy, and nearly 13,000 Hammond students since 2003. Every elementary school and two Catholic schools have participated in this Gun Safety Program. With the help of Cindy and Dorothy, “Eddie” has been brought to life - in person - for all of these children to meet. “Seeing the Eddie Eagle character in person is a great way to help these children remember the program, and the four rules, for a long time to come,” Ken Baker said. “I’m certain that this Advocate for Children Award means a lot to Cindy and Dorothy. They certainly mean a lot to me! I couldn’t present this program without them!”

A Crime Watch “Service” Award was presented to Hammond Police Officer Warren Fryer - our former Community Resource Officer recently promoted to the Detective Bureau. Warren has been with the Hammond Police Department for 12 years, and had turned down promotions to be involved with the community. Promotion opportunities knocked a little louder recently. Warren doesn’t ever want to lose contact with the people in the streets. “As a detective, I’ll have 100 fellow officers and roughly 72,000 citizens at my disposal,” he said.

During a recent invitation to Columbia Elementary School, Hammond resident Ken Baker, a certified Firearms Instructor, made a special presentation to 2nd grade student Cindy Lizama. Baker had been invited to teach the “Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program.”

During the 2006 school year, Cindy’s first grade teacher, Mrs. Holly Strains, sent Ken a special letter and journal from Cindy - just three days before Ken went into the hospital for a second knee replacement surgery. The infomation from Cindy let Ken know that she was thankful she was learning her ABC’s, as well as four important rules from “Eddie Eagle” regarding what to do if she found a gun, namely, “Stop! Don’t Touch! Leave the Area! Tell an Adult!” Cindy also included a very nice drawing of children playing, and a gun hiding in a tree.

Baker was so impressed with little Cindy’s kind and thoughtful gesture that he bacame motivated to have a rapid recovery. He so wanted to be able to return to the children and classrooms in the Hammond Elementary School System. As her proud parents watched, Ken Baker presented Cindy with “Eddie Eagle Gun Safety” posters, stickers, a video, and a photo of “Eddie.” Ken also thanked teacher Holly Strains, and all of the fine students, teachers, and staff at Columbia Elementary School.