• The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program has been instructed to Munster students since 1988 and provides safety lessons for almost 2,000 students in kindergarten through 8th grade each year. Depending on the grade level, the lessons include stranger-danger, internet safety, bullying prevention, drug prevention, managing stress, effective communication skills, and making positive choices. Fifth graders who participate in the main curriculum of the program receive D.A.R.E. t-shirts, certificates, and gift bags during graduation ceremonies at the end of the school year.
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The National Night Out Against Crime has been celebrated in Munster for 25 years and typically includes swimming, games, door prizes, booth participants, music, giveaways for participants, safety demonstrations, and an awesome closing fireworks show sponsored by Krazy Kaplan’s. Our event is held every August to help promote positive police and community partnerships and last year’s event, which was modified and held in October for health reasons, was ranked as the #1 National Night Out event in the U.S. in our population category (awards pictured right).
• The Choice Community Council is an open forum for Munster residents who would like to help plan community policing programs aimed at drug, gang, crime, and violence prevention in Munster. The group plans events such as the National Night Out, the Police & Fire Charity Softball event, women’s self-defense classes, special speakers, and more.
• The Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program involves residents over 21 years of age who assist the police department and their fellow residents in a variety of different ways such as station duties, making child identification cards, and providing funeral escorts, vehicle lock-outs, and extra patrol of the neighborhoods and business districts. VIPS are not armed and do not possess police powers, however, they have become a valuable part of our crime prevention and outreach efforts.
• The Munster Neighborhood & Business Crime Watch Programs were implemented in 2005 and 2007 respectively, and regularly provide information to our community through this weekly newsletter about recent crime activity, prevention tips, and upcoming community events. Meetings for the public are held quarterly and signage is placed in neighborhoods or business districts where a number of residents or businesses are participating (over 100 active Neighborhood groups and over 250 businesses participate).
• The “Cops & Kids” holiday shopping program involves pre-selected children in need going shopping for toys and clothing with Munster Police officers, fire fighters, and VIPS each December with funds that are donated from the community. This is always a memorable event for everyone involved each year.