 |
|
|
|
| |
| Home |
| News |
| Classifieds |
| Social News |
| Community Calendar |
| Subscribe |
| Obituaries |
| Public Notices |
| Print Services |
| Advertising |
| Letters To The Editor |
| About Us |
| Forum |
| Newsstands |
| Search |
| |
Thankfully most police officers never stand face-to-face with a school shooter, but that does not mean officers do not face hands on practice in case such situations arise.
Rural police departments can be left behind, however, when it comes to access to new technology centers designed to put officers in tough situations.
That is why the National Institute of Justice created the Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center that travels throughout the United States upon requests of rural law enforcement agencies.
“The mobile training is an excellent resource for small police agencies to obtain expert instruction with high-tech simulated shoot, don’t shoot scenarios,” said Pulaski County Sheriff Mike Gayer.
Minor Allen, a technology training specialist, has been operating the center and has so far traveled to 39 states and helped 5,000 officers through the program.
“Rural agencies are often overlooked in training,” Allen said. “This can provide them with a voice and the same capabilities as big agencies.”
Allen said 50 percent of law enforcement agencies have 10 officers or less.
When officers step into the air conditioned semi trailer, there is a control room lined with badges from police departments all over the country, and to the left is where they get a chance to test their skills and ability to handle tough situations.
A large screen spreads out over a far wall and two barrier-type structures protrude from the sidewalls for officers to use as shields. Officers use the pistols provided to aim at targets in the various scenarios.
This is no video game, however. It requires officers to talk to suspects and carefully observe movements and objects. To add another twist, the victims can shoot back via cold, paintball-like pellets, if officer’s shots are not accurate.
Sheriff Gayer said officers were graded on reaction time in each of the situations, forcing the officer to decide quickly to shoot or not to shoot.
Some situations the technology center runs officers through include a school shooting, routine traffic stop, reported robbery, felony traffic stop, a domestic disturbance and a hostage situation including over a dozen suspects and many hostages, requiring officers to use extra care in their judgment calls.
Each situation can be manipulated by Allen in the control room.
Sheriff Gayer requested the center, free of charge, for his department and extended invitations to departments in surrounding counties as well.
“Simulators of this quality typically sell for $50,000 plus,” Sheriff Gayer said. “Pulaski County was extremely fortunate to be able to acquire this level of instruction for two days.”
The Warriors came in looking for a win against the Panthers Friday night. The last time they beat the Panthers was in 2001 and the last time they won at Pioneer was in 2000. Unfortunately for Winamac they will have to wait until next year for a chance to beat Pioneer. The Panthers scored early and often to beat the Warriors 31-7. One of the bright spots came in the first quarter when Winamac converted a fake punt for a nice gain.
The Andrew Malott to Ryan Grandstaff connection worked for a second straight week. The duo hooked up for an 83 yard touchdown with 8:50 left in the game that brought the visiting crowd to their feet. After a failed Winamac onside kick the Panthers ended the scoring for the night with a 52 yard, 12 play drive. The Warriors hope to get a win on Friday as they travel to North White.
Public Notices Print Services Advertising Information Letters To The Editor About Us Forum Chat Search PulaskiJournal.com is an online publication of the |
The Pulaski County Community Development Commission met Tuesday night for its regular monthly meeting. The main topic of discussion for the night revolved around finding a way to draw people to Pulaski County.
CDC Director Dan Dolezal was approached by a representative of Brand Acceleration in Indianapolis with an idea for potential work for the CDC.
The representative put together a summarized strategy to sell Pulaski County as a great retirement community. The plan includes logo/brand design with a slogan, brochures and 30 second TV ads to attract potential residents to the area.
Richard Denney identified the lack of retail in the area as a possible deterrent to retirees, but others on the CDC board agreed retailers will come when the population grows.
“I’d like to hear exactly what he’s going to say and how much it’s going to cost,” said CDC President Karrie Sutton on the plan from Brand Acceleration.
The CDC hopes to move forward and get more information from the company as soon as possible.
Dolezal was also contacted by a man from Greenwood, Ind., looking to create a “green” community of 3,000 people by building affordable housing with used cargo containers. He wants to target retirees and veterans and incorporate alternative energy sources.
The CDC budget for 2009 has been cut by 16 percent from $146,760 to $123,710 as the county looks for areas to save money. Sutton and others on the board agreed they would like to know where the excess money goes since the CDC is funded through specific income taxes.
From June to July, unemployment in Pulaski County went down 0.2 percent from 379 to 365, while increasing 0.3 percent statewide and nationally and the number of those employed went from 6,683 to 6,707. However, recent layoffs at Galbreath Corp. will affect those numbers in the coming months.
Dolezal and board member Doug Pelsy toured Vulcan Materials just south of Francesville and encourage anyone to take a tour of the 320 ft. deep quarry. The company not only is a major employer but is also community oriented.
Ideas are still churning for how to use the restored Vurpillat Opera House.
Dolezal and board member Steve Morrison checked out a business incubator in Michigan City called the Entrepreneur Center in hopes of getting some sort of idea if such an incubator would work in the Opera House.
The center in Michigan City housed everything from a marketing specialist to a massage therapist. The key to the success of the center is finding adequate funding through grants, donors and other opportunities.
Within the past month, Dolezal met with the new district representative of the Small Business Development Center and was pleased to see the services the center can offer to both existing and new businesses including classes and face-to-face consultations.
The Extension office and the CDC are working together to keep the welder training program going, but when the current grant runs out advanced classes will no longer be offered, only basic.
The board approved the $5,000 payout to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana for the architectural survey project.
A committee was formed to review CDC bylaws and the board is searching for two new members to fill current vacancies.
The board is also looking to track how many people use the county wireless internet access.
The Pulaski County CDC meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
