Thirty Mobilians Set to Graduate from Citizen’s Police Academy

After 11 weeks on the police beat, 30 members of the Citizens’ Police Academy will graduate from the Mobile Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy, taking away a certificate of achievement and a new perspective on police work.

The graduation is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the auditorium at Mobile Gas, 2828 Dauphin St.

The graduates came to the program with a variety of life experiences. Ranging in age from 22 to 76, the participants’ backgrounds are diverse as well. The class consists of retired teachers, an author, a Homeland Security Officer, and an optometrist to name a few.

The class covered all aspects of policing including gun safety, narcotics, target shooting, and an officer ride-along. Additionally, the students visited Metro Jail and the 911 Communications Center.

Those interested in applying for the next Citizen’s Academy are asked to call the Training Academy at 208-2732.

Mobile Fire-Rescue Reminds You to Change Your Clocks, and Your Batteries

The Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program was started 22 years ago by Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. Today, more than 6,200 fire departments across the country participate in the campaign and urge their communities to use the extra hour they save this weekend to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and talk with their families about fire safety.

Simple Home Fire Safety Tips:

• Practice smoke alarm maintenance for a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths.
• Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working.
• Have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home.
• Plan, discuss and practice a fire escape plan with your family.
• Do not rely on your sense of smell to alert you that you are in danger of being trapped during a fire.
• Be sure not to ignore the chirping sound your smoke alarm makes when maintenance is required.
• Keep fire-starting materials away from children, including lighters, matches, cigarettes, cigars and pipes.
• Use flashlights rather than candles to light your home during power outages.
• Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a three-foot (one meter) clearance from anything that can burn and should always be turned off when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Flags of Glory Event to Honor American Veterans

Mobile Memorial Gardens, along with the local Veterans community, is hosting the Flags of Glory Veterans Day Tribute in honor of all past and present members of the United States Military. The tribute, to be held Nov. 7-14, will feature a drive- or walk-through display of American flags lining the streets of Mobile Memorial Gardens. More than 200 flags are available for sponsorship in honor of veterans, deceased or living. All proceeds will benefit the Honor Flight of South Alabama. The deadline for sponsorship is Oct. 31. A sponsorship form can be downloaded from www.mobilememorialgardens.org. For more information, contact Julius Powell at 661-1333 or visit the Flags of Glory online community at www.flagsofglory.ning.com.

Florida Street Culvert Installation Slideshow

The slideshow below shows the tremendous job done by City crews, our contractors, and the railroad company to install a culvert for the Florida Street drainage project. All of this happened during a 12 hour window on Wednesday, October 14, 2009.

CLICK HERE for more information.

Pet of the Week: Angel

This week’s featured pet of the week is sweet “Angel.” She is a Bassett mix that was found wandering the streets of Mobile and no one came to claim her. She has been spayed, heart worm tested which was negative, and has been given all of her shots which also includes the rabies vaccination. She has also been micro-chipped. The Vet’s office feels she is about 2-3 years old and is in perfect health. Her adoption package includes 50% off her next vet visit, $10.00 coupon to B & B pet stop to get her some goodies, a training video (although I don’t think she will watch it) and Science Diet dog food to get her started in her new home. She loves toys, and kids (only chews on the toys so your kids are safe). If you need more information you can contact our office at 208-2801. Our kennel is open until 4:30 but we are open on Saturdays from 9:00-2:30…….

”Saving just one pet won’t change the world, but surely the world will change for that one pet.”

MPD to Hold Vehicle Auction

The Mobile Police Department will auction off more than 120 used vehicles Tuesday, Oct. 13. The gates open at 8:30 a.m. and bidding will begin at 9 a.m. at the Department’s Impound Yard, 1251-B Virginia St. All bidders must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid driver’s license. Bidders must also register prior to the auction by presenting a valid driver’s license to Impound Yard personnel between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Cash and credit cards only will be accepted.

For more information, contact Sgt. Ken Sterrett at 208-2586.

Help Wanted: October 5, 2009

Here are the current job openings at the Mobile County Personnel Board:

Pet of the Week - Tux

Tux is a Male Neutered Domestic Short Hair. He was made to puuurrrrrrfection. He is approximately 9 months old and has been declawed (front only) by his previous owner. He has not been around small children but gets along just fine with the workers at the shelter and also his K-9 friends. His previous owner released him to the shelter on 08/22/2009 stating they “no longer wanted him”. We are still shaking our heads over that one. His picture should speak volumes. He is up to date with all of his vaccinations including his rabies shot. He has been given a clean bill of health from the vet and is ready for his new adventure. For more information you can contact our shelter at 251-208-2801.

Mobile Police Ask for Assistance in Locating Missing Family

The Mobile Police Department Youth Services Division is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a father and his two children. Thirty-three year old Michael Nichols was last seen at his place of employment on Aug. 12, 2009 and has not returned to retrieve three payroll checks. His two sons, 9-year-old Joshua Nichols and 14-year-old Ryan Nichols have not been seen since Aug. 9, 2009 when they went shopping for school clothes with their grandmother.

Michael Nichols is 5’10” tall, weighs 160 lbs., is bald and has brown eyes. Ryan Nichols is 5’4” tall, weighs 180 lbs. and has brown hair and brown eyes. Joshua Nichols is 4’8” tall, weighs 85 lbs., and has brown hair and brown eyes. Mr. Nichols’ last known vehicle is a gold 1995 Mercury Villager mini-van bearing Alabama tag O5180AY.

Anyone with information regarding Michael Nichols and his children’s whereabouts is asked to call the Mobile Police Department at 208-7211.

(from left - Michael Nichols, Ryan Nichols, and Joshua Nichols)

The City of Mobile Animal Shelter is Up to the Challenge

Help the Mobile Animal Shelter win the challenge. Just click the image below and type in City of Mobile Animal Shelter. Thanks!