TRICOM Winnebago Counties Crime Prevention Coalition made up of County Citizens, Businesses and Law Enforcement Agencies Working Together on Crime Prevention, Health and Safety is sponsoring it's 2nd annual citizen crime prevention academy. The goal of TRICOM and through it's academy will be one community focused upon a caring safety-conscious, health-driven and crime free environment.

You may ask yourself, what is a Crime Prevention Academy? The crime prevention academy is an eight-week program designed to empower participants with the knowledge of how they can make a difference in their community. it consists of a series of classes and discussions held once a week on Tuesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Sheriff's Office at 4311 Jackson St. Oshkosh. The academy will start on Tuesday January 19th and run through March 9th 2010. There is no cost to attend the academy. The class will provide an in-depth view into various areas of Crime Prevention. It is an educational and interactive program that gives citizens the opportunity to learn about the issues that are affecting Winnebago County. By the end of the eight weeks, they will be able to develop partnerships with law enforcement, local coalitions and each other to help find solutions.

Goals of the academy are to develop a partnership between citizens, businesses and law enforcement in order to establish a safer community. To create awareness about the basic principles of crime prevention and the programs that will assist in creating effective partnerships. And to assist TRICOM and area law enforcement in the delivery of crime prevention strategies and education.

Benefits to attending the academy are, residents or businesses take an active interest in their community and the protection of their communities, they will enjoy safer and closer relationships with their neighbors. This will allow them to have a more interactive association with community organizations, law enforcement, and each other. Upon completion of the course graduates receive a certificate and become a crime prevention advocate. Why the academy? Crime prevention plays an important and vital role in reducing crime in any community. Crime Prevention is everone's business, more than security, a responsibility of all levels of government, linked with solving social problems, and is cost effective. To be effective, crime prevention must originate within communities, sparked and supported by law enforcement and education and governmental systems. Every element of the community must be energized to fulfill its role. Individuals must rally around positive goals. Crime Prevention must become an essential part of every American's daily life. TRICOM's Crime Prevention Academy will improve your knowledge of crime prevention practices and programs. It is our hope that the graduates will become partners with TRICOM in identifying problems and solutions to the crime issues that are affecting the county. Graduates will take their knowledge back into there neighborhoods and businesses where they can use it to enhance the quality of life.

Who can attend the academy? Individuals who apply for the crime prevention academy must be 18 years of age. They must also have an interest in creating a safer, crime-free Winnebago County. For more information on the crime prevention academy contact your local law enforcement agencies crime prevention coordinator in Winnebago County or contact Crime Reduction Coordinator Jeff Jorgenson of the Menasha Police Department at (920) 967-3569 or Email:tygereyedesigns@hotmail.com or check the web site at www.foxvalleyprevents.com