Get informed, get engaged

At its annual fund-raising lunch, the Better Government Association featured a video that has a clear message:  GetInformed, Get Involved

With the primary election on Tuesday, it’s not a bad idea. 

The idea of getting involved is not a message that’s unique to the BGA – Village Clerk Jan Sirabian has for years preaching the word about voting in all elections and has long been a proponent of civic engagement, as evidenced by her coordination of the village’s annual Civics Forum.

It would be a change of pace if board members added their support for civic engagement rather than personal interests.  It’s also too bad that the local media scene is so devoid of support for local civic engagement, opting instead to dedicate space to puffy haired soccer moms to rant about exercise gadgets or run spreads of folks slurping down wine at some fund-raiser for an inane cause.

The need for increased civic engagement was echoed loud and strong at the 2016 Illinois Civic Mission Coalition conference on Friday.  The focus was clear – Get informed, get involved.

Buffalo Grove Police Arrest Offender in Graffiti Case ….This from the village website --- Information obtained through the Lincolnshire Police Department School Resource Officer at Stevenson High School has led to an arrest in the Buffalo Grove parks graffiti case.

The offender, a 16-year-old juvenile who lives in Buffalo Grove, was voluntarily brought to the Buffalo Grove police station by his parents.

During the interview, which included the parents, the juvenile admitted his role in the graffiti case. Investigators are working with the Lake County States Attorney’s office to seek appropriate charges.

The police department and park district are working to identify and remove any remaining graffiti located in Buffalo Grove parks.

Watch, daddy’s deep pockets will get the kid off.

More from the website -- Applications are now being accepted for the Buffalo Grove Police Department Citizen Police Academy. The academy will take place each Wednesday night for eight weeks, starting March 30, 2016.

This academy is free and enrollment will be on a first come basis, limited to 20 attendees.

Academy attendees must be 21 years old and pass a background check. Classes are held at the Buffalo Grove Police Department located at 46 Raupp Boulevard.

Classes during this session will run from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. The academy will cover a wide range of law enforcement activities including K-9, traffic enforcement, firearms, forensics, criminal investigations, SWAT team and operational structure of the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

Applications are available online at http://www.vbg.org/DocumentCenter/View/1490 or in- person at the police station.  Any questions please call Officer Tom Derken at (847) 459-2560 or email police@vbg.org.

This is one of a variety of community education programs and projects the BG cops offer. You’ll find them well worth your time and effort.