Officials within the Oak Park Police Department say its commitment to community policing "isn't just a title or philosophy."
Instead, Deputy Chief Anthony Ambrose says, community policing is practiced by everyone in the department, from patrolmen to detectives. That means a group of the village's 116 sworn officers are covering portions of Oak Park at any given time, with an eye toward preventing, and reacting to, crime and promoting public safety.
To that end, the department assigns several officers to work from their homes, situated within their beats. The goal is to open the lines of communication between the department and Oak Park's neighborhoods.
Oak Park police have a street-crimes unit, traffic-enforcement unit and juvenile unit. They also dedicate officers to the West Suburban Directed Gang Enforcement, a regional crimefighting effort made up of officers in Forest Park, River Forest, Brookfield, Lyons, Riverside, Stickney, North Riverside and Berwyn.
Additional numbers for the department include a Crime Tip Hotline at 708-434-1636 and a non-emergency number at 708-386-2131.
The Framingham Planning Board office is located in room B37 inside the Memorial Building (Framingham Town Hall). The Board is comprised of one appointed associate member and five elected members. The Board reviews residential and commercial development proposals. The Board is responsible for reviewing a wide range of residential and commercial development proposals. The Board grants special permits, reviews and approves subdivision, master, and community plans. One of the Board's objectives is to help guide and manage the town's growth. The Planning Board meets weekly at the Memorial Building.
The Framingham Auxiliary Police is an elite group of approximately 20 volunteers who give of themselves to make Framingham a better place to live and work. The mission of the Framingham Auxiliary Police is to be trained and prepared to assist the Framingham Police in the event of a civil or natural disaster. Following a rigorous selection process, the auxiliary officer training begins with a Reserve Police Academy run by the Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee.
History:
The Framingham Auxiliary Police was originally formed during World War II, as there was a need for air-raid wardens to be trained and available should the country be attacked. Unfortunately, the need to protect our country has renewed focus from terrorist threats and actions. The auxiliary police stand as a ready reserve, part of our Emergency Management infrastructure, to assist in case of natural or civil disaster.
Ongoing Training:
As part of its ongoing training the auxiliary officers participate in weekend training patrols, help out at community and civic events year-round as well as assist the Framingham Police Department as requested. The officers are also required to complete annual in-service training.
Volunteer Opportunity:
Membership in the Framingham Auxiliary Police provides a means for residents of Framingham to make their town a better and safer place to live and work.
If you are interested in community service, over 21 years old, a US citizen, have no criminal record and have been a resident of Framingham for over six months, you are encouraged apply. All applicants are subject to an entrance examination, interviews and background verification. All new members are required to complete a 250 hour academy training program and commit to between 10 and 15 hours of community service each month.
The Framingham Auxiliary Police meets on the third Monday monthly at the Framingham Police Station at 7:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, e-mail Captain Marc Spigel at [email protected]
The Colonial Regional Police Department has 24 officers, all of which are full-time. The department provides law enforcement services for Lower Nazareth Township, Hanover Township, Bath Borough and Chapman Borough.
Roy D. Seiple is the Chief of Police.
