‘Right in Our Own Backyard’ addiction awareness program, Summer Twilight Series also approach
By Mayor Michael Mignogna
Special to The Sun
The Voorhees Township Police Department will be holding its fourth annual Junior Police Academy from July 17 through July 21.
This program teaches our young people from the age of 12 to 17 to appreciate and respect the duties and life of a police officer. The academy will also give the participants, who may have dreams of becoming a police officer, a taste of police life.
The program is limited to 25 cadets who will participate in drill and ceremony (marching), physical fitness training by certified police academy fitness instructors, hands-on patrol tactics training through mock scenarios and car stops and see a demonstration from our K-9 unit. During the week, the cadets will also receive a tour of the Juvenile Detention Center and will see demonstrations from various special units, including the crime scene unit. All of the instructors will be Voorhees Township police officers and the cadets will report each day to our police station.
The candidate selection process includes checks with family, neighbors and schools to ensure the applicant will be a positive addition to the learning environment for other students and will not have an issue with following directions in a para-military style academy experience. All uniform requirements must be followed. Failure to follow Junior Police Academy rules or instructor directions will result in the cadet being dismissed from the program. The Junior Police Academy strives to educate kids on what it is really like to go through a police academy. It is meant for youths who are considering a career in law enforcement. Applicants who have not already participated in the program will be given preference.
Upon successful completion of the academy, each cadet will receive a certificate at a graduation ceremony.
Applications must be submitted online at www.vtpd.com/jpa by June 30. Due to limited space, applicants will be notified if they have been selected to attend. A meeting will be scheduled with parents prior to the academy once applicants are chosen for the program. The application and related forms can be found on our website. Applicants must be residents of Voorhees Township.
Interested parents and applicants can contact Sgt. Eric Camm at (856) 882–1104 (ecamm@vtpd.com). Applications and forms for the Junior Police Academy can be found at www.vtpd.com/jpa.
• The fifth Annual “Right in Our Own Backyard” addiction awareness program will be held on Tuesday, June 13 at 6 p.m. at the Mansion. Tickets are $50 and include two drink tickets, buffet and DJ entertainment. Since its inception, the program has provided the necessary information about the opiate/heroin epidemic, which affects people in all walks of life. Tragically, the number of overdose deaths in New Jersey is more than triple the national rate and there are now more overdose deaths than from homicide, suicide, car accidents or AIDS. All proceeds go to the Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Southern New Jersey for the “Right in Our Own Backyard” program. The program was started in memory of Justin M. Wolfe.
• The first show in our 2017 Summer Twilight Series will be on Thursday, June 22, and will feature Beginnings, the World’s №1 Tribute to Chicago. They are billed as “The ultimate Chicago Band” and will be one of the most enjoyable and entertaining shows you will ever see. Chicago’s timeless classics transcend generations. The show is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. on the “Great Lawn” at Connolly Park. A “Beer Garden” and food trucks will open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com or call the show hot line at (856) 882-SHOW.
• Voorhees Township is offering discounted tickets to Morey’s Piers in Wildwood. Tickets are available in the Municipal Clerk’s Office at Voorhees Town Hall. Prices vary according to the type of ticket and several options are available to residents and non-residents. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com.
