Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • July 17, 2013 Ho-Ho-Kus Junior Police Academy program still going strong by Jennifer Crusco The month of July brings Independence Day celebrations, fireworks, barbecues, – and the Ho-Ho-Kus Junior Police Academy, which was again held on the grounds of the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School. This popular five-day, police-run program is geared toward students who will be entering sixth grade in September. Academy participants, known as cadets, receive a one-week sampling of the police academy experience. Each day, participants receive a dose of discipline and exercise before they take on activities that range from crime scene investigation, games that foster cooperation, and a graduation ceremony. Academy activities include daily calisthenics led by Officer Anthony Balestrieri and education about police techniques and procedures. The academy’s organizers include Officer Sean Leonard, who will become the Ho-Ho-Kus Public School’s first school resource officer this fall, and M Mosca, who photographs all of the academy activities. The program offered in Ho-Ho-Kus was based on the academy presented to students in Mahwah. The first year the Ho-Ho-Kus program ran, 15 cadets participated. The number of participants increased in subsequent years, and enrollment has remained steady as many academy graduates recommend the experience to their younger siblings and friends. Parents of program participants are also enthusiastic about the results of the academy, which promotes the concept: The pride you gain is worth the pain. “My youngest daughter is in police academy now,” Julie Pignatelli told Villadom TIMES last week. “She really enjoyed the week, despite having to do it with a sprained arm! My two older daughters did it also in past years. It is a fantastic program. The kids may be scared the first day, but by the end of the week they are so proud of themselves and what they accomplished. It really is a great thing for them and it creates a trusting rapport between the officers and the kids. I wish they could do it every year!” The academy program was launched in 2006 by Gregory Kallenberg, who was the borough’s chief of police at that time. The program then continued for five consecutive seasons. In 2011, staffing concerns led the police department to temporarily suspend the program. Last year, the depart- At left: Cadets carry out their morning calisthenics. Top right: Officer Anthony Balestrieri provides instructions. Above: Two cadets visit with the K-9. (Photos courtesy of the Ho-HoKus Police Department.) ment offered a combined class that allowed students who had missed the experience in 2011 to participate along with the younger students. Funding for the program has been provided by the Bergen County Municipal Alliance and the Policemen’s Benevolent Association.