Citizens on Patrol!

Last night, I 'graduated' from Citizen Police Academy.  It's a course taught by the local Police department.  It's to make you more aware of the Police activities, and to be a better citizen, more aware of your community.  It was about 7 or 8 weeks.  Each night we did something different (always under their supervision).  We ran mock traffic stops, and were given scenarios that had actually occurred to officers.  We saw tapes of their stops, and some tragic outcomes from around the country.  We were allowed to the local academy computerized firing area, and had to decide in a split second, if to pull a gun, and to aim, and fire and see our results on the life sized screens.  We also later went to an indoor firing range at the headquarters, and under MUCH supervision, shot at targets.  For a peace loving child of the 60's, I was AMAZED at how much fun shooting was.  I don't know if it would be as good if I was hunting animals, or God forbid, shooting at a person, but target shooting was really challenging!
     We also spent an evening with the medical examiner, who walked us through an autospsy (in photos), and then showed us the equipment used in investigations.  She also showed us slides of some of her more 'interesting' cases. WOW.  A forensic detective spent 3 of the most intense hours reviewing slides of his cases, and investigations.  People's inhumanity towards each other still shocks me.  A gang expert spoke on the current situations, and we were horrified to see that my Beloved Barnes and Noble sells a coloring book portraying gangs and their lifestyles.  For real!  Who would buy this for a kid? Seriously????  Can there be that big a gangster market for coloring books?  As a grand finale, we visited the State Prison, the maximum security one.  We were cat-called as we walked through, shown the infirmary, living areas, showers, etc.  It ended with an hour long session with members of the Prisoners Speakers Bureau.  These are long timers, with good behavior, who volunteer to meet with civic groups and spend some time with us in the library there.  We were in groups of 3 Academy students to 1 prisoner.  We could ask them anything about their crimes, prison life, reforms needed, drug use 'inside', etc.  Eye opening.
   Well, that was my Wednesday nights for the past couple of months.....  Have you ever taken a course for just no reason at all other than it tickled your fancy?  Try it sometime....  change is good for the soul!  MC