NEW POLICE WEBSITE Check out Mt. Lebanon Police Department’s new website at pd.mtlebanon.org. The site is more user friendly—for both the public and the police—than the old site and has more interactive features. Pauline Connelly of PiCon, a Washington Road web design and marketing company, created the new website free of charge. The new format will allow police staff to update the site.

A new feature, which should be added by the time you read this, is a crime report map that pinpoints recent incidents such as burglaries and vandalism. Hover your mouse above the pinpoints to get details and submit a tip if you have information regarding that incident.

The site also has an “I want to…” section where you can get information about obtaining overnight on-street parking permission, request a parking ticket or traffic citation hearing, schedule a child car seat inspection and obtain a police report. In addition, there is contact information for every officer, links to ordinances that involve the police and an alert bar that scrolls across the top with links to high priority items such as information about recent crime sprees and upcoming events. An FAQ page answers questions about reporting a crime, alarm system permits, solicitation permits and the police department

“It’s state of the art,” says Police Chief Coleman McDonough.

The new website will not be monitored 24/7, so please do not use it if you need help immediately. Instead, dial 911.

OFFICER OF THE YEAR The Mt. Lebanon Police Department named Paul Petras its Police Officer of the Year. Petras, who has been with the department since 2002, was selected based on his excellent investigative work last year on cases involving juvenile sex crimes that sent two offenders to jail, as well as his cumulative work with the department. Petras is the department’s defensive tactics instructor and also is a commander of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). The CIRT involves officers from several South Hills police departments and responds to high-risk incidents—such as   hostage situations—in 19 South Hills communities. Petras is a former Army Special Forces officer.

PUBLIC SAFETY CAMP Calling kids age 9 to 12: Mt. Lebanon’s Public Safety Camp will run July 29 to August 2 at Mt. Lebanon Park. The Mt. Lebanon police and fire departments and Medical Rescue Team South EMS services coordinate the event, which introduces children to all three public safety departments. During the week, day campers will see rescue vehicles used by each department, experience the severe weather trailer, take part in a rope rescue drill, use a hose line from a fire engine, learn CPR and first aid and wear firefighter turnout gear. The week ends with a graduation ceremony.  Registration is limited, so sign up now here.  You also can sign up at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center off Cedar Boulevard. Fee is $50 for residents and $55 for non-residents.  Participants receive a T-shirt. Questions? Call 412-343-3409.

CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY Here’s your chance to experience what would have happened if you’d followed your childhood dreams of becoming a firefighter. Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, in collaboration with the Castle Shannon and Dormont fire departments, will host a Citizens Fire Academy from September 11 to November 2. Classes will meet primarily on Wednesdays from 7 to 10:30 p.m., but there will be at least two Saturday sessions. Location for each class will be divided among the fire departments with the final Saturday, November 2, session held at the Washington County Fire Academy. Participants will get a chance to operate hose lines, tour the stations, cut apart vehicles with the Jaws of Life, extinguish live fires, perform simulated ladder rescues, don turnout gear, ride in the bucket of a 75-foot ladder truck and earn CPR certification. Registration is open to residents and business owners 18 or older in all three participating communities. Click here or call 412-343-1697 for registration forms and details.

THE MT. LEBANON POLICE DEPARTMENT welcomed new K-9 officer Snieper on May 23. A Belgian Malinois, Snieper will be used for search and rescue, crowd control and to sniff out drugs. Snieper and his training were paid for by donations made to the department after the 2012 death of K-9 officer Sundi. Snieper will partner with Officer Ben Himan, left.