Cops: Exploring At The MPD

Mobile Police Department Explorers We caught some teenagers up all night.
They weren't looking for trouble. They're looking to build a better future.

by Mel Showers

Published: Tue, December 18, 2007 - 9:37 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, December 18, 2007 - 9:51 pm CST

More than 100 youngsters who are members of the Mobile Police Department's Explorer Program recently visited WKRG as part of their annual Mobile After Dark itinerary. Each year they spend an entire night visiting various businesses in Mobile County. WKRG News 5 is always their first stop.
While at News 5, the youngsters interacted with Rose Ann Haven, Alan Sealls, Randy Patrick and members of the WKRG staff. Last year, approximately 60 youngsters visited the station, this year that number more than doubled. The explorers program continues to grow in popularity.
Police spokesperson Nancy Johnson says now more than 200 youngsters are members. She says "we will expose them to all aspects of policing. We will be doing forensics, crime scene identification, weapons skills training, narcotics, patrol work, the whole gamut, radar work, self defense. So it's exciting and fun in that respect."
Johnson goes on to say "they'll be participating in Mardi Gras. They'll help us do some crowd control at the games. The senior bowl, the GMAC Bowl. We take them on trips. They do a lot of community service work. And then in January, we'll be taking them on our annual ski trip to Gatlinburg."
If you're interested, the next membership meeting is scheduled for this Thursday night at 6 o'clock at the New Jerusalem Church in Mobile Terrace.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Local