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Chicago Tribune
7 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Hinsdale Citizen Police Academy opens lines of communication with community
The Hinsdale Police Department is accepting applications for its annual fall Citizen Police Academy, which was started in 2001 and has been praised by former participants. The next session begins Sept. 3 and runs through Nov. 12, with weekly Wednesday meetings scheduled from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Hinsdale police Officer Karen Kowal said participants must be at least 18 years old and typically range in age from 28 to 70. 'The course is intended for citizens who reside or work in Hinsdale,' she said. 'However, exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis, if there are remaining open spots after the application deadline.' She said the classroom space allows for up to 15 participants each session. 'Smaller classes also help us foster a more personal feel for participants, while interacting with our officers,' Kowal said. She said the goal of the program is to improve communication with the community, while also gaining citizen input, assistance and support. 'The Citizen Police Academy is a free, educational and informative program, which provides participants a comprehensive view of the challenging, yet crucial, work carried out by the Hinsdale Police Department,' Kowal said. 'This program does not create part-time police officers. It is yet another mechanism for our police department to inform the public about what we do, while also allowing participants to meet many of our police officers on a more personal level.' Kowal said another goal of the Academy is to provide a broad overview of important topics with opportunities for the class to be interactive and hands-on. 'Each class builds knowledge and insight that is helpful for each of the following weekly classes,' she said. Information will cover the department's hiring process, procedures and training, the foundation of what provides police powers, the Field Training Program, the Drone Program, the foundation and risks of traffic stops, DUI investigations, the M.E.R.I.T. ('SWAT') team, crime scene processing, the Hinsdale Police Department investigations division and more Kowal said. 'Participants will go hands-on with crime scene investigations, K-9 demonstrations, and traffic stops, to name a few,' she said. 'Also, participants will get the opportunity to experience what it is like to be on patrol in Hinsdale, as they ride in a police car with one of our officers for a four-hour ride-along.' Kowal said there are generally anywhere from one to three officers presenting during any given class session. 'We aim to allow officers to present on their different areas of interest, while also allowing participants to learn from as many different officers as possible,' she said. 'We also coordinate with several outside agencies to present on other important topics, such as dispatching and K-9 programs.' Hinsdale resident Bryan Clapacs, 57, has lived in the village for 15 years and participated in the Police Academy in 2023. '(I had) curiosity and wanted to show support for law enforcement officers that have been unfairly portrayed in the media,' he said, adding that participating gave him a better understanding of what Hinsdale police deal with on a day-to-day basis. His favorite parts of the Academy were getting to know the officers and the ride along. 'I believe that more people should be required to attend this academy and/ or other community outreach programs,' Clapacs said. 'I believe if they attended, more of the public would be more appreciative of our police, and the officers would understand more of the public concerns.' Another 2023 Academy participant was Daniel Krzywiec, 44, who has lived in Hinsdale for seven years. 'I believe in being an informed and engaged member of the community, and this program gave me the opportunity to see the challenges officers face, the procedures they follow, and how they serve the public,' he said. 'It also helped build mutual respect and communication between citizens and the police, which I think is really important.' Krzywiec said he got more than he expected out of the Academy. 'I thought it would be mostly lectures, but it was very hands-on,' he said. 'We got to see real scenarios, interact with officers, and even experience some of the tools and training they use. I gained a much better understanding of how law enforcement operates and the difficult decisions officers have to make. It also helped me build trust with local police and see them as real people doing a tough job.' Mark Sahlol, 44, has lived in Hinsdale for four years and experienced the Police Academy last year. 'I decided to participate because I wanted to learn more about the police and offer help, after having the proper knowledge, if needed,' he said. 'The experience was better than what I expected. There was a lot of exciting information to learn, and the staff was very friendly and supportive.' Marzena Powala, 45, has lived in Hinsdale since February 2022 and was another participant in last year's Academy. 'I also saw it as a valuable opportunity to meet new people and, most importantly, to broaden my knowledge of law enforcement and public safety,' Powala said. 'it was the best experience ever. 'One experience I will always remember is the evening spent patrolling our town alongside a police officer. I can confidently assure our residents that we are served by some of the most dedicated and passionate law enforcement professionals in the county.' Michael Siffermann, 38, is a four-year resident of Hinsdale and participated in the Academy in 2022. 'Many of my family members are in law enforcement, so I was naturally interested in getting a look into local police operations,' he said. 'But it was also a good chance to connect with other members of the community — fellow classmates and the Hinsdale PD officers. It definitely enhanced my understanding of the type of work Hinsdale PD does and deepened my appreciation and respect for our officers.' Krzywiec said he recommends the Citizens Police Academy to all Hinsdale residents and anyone who wants to understand their community better. 'It breaks down barriers, builds respect, and shows just how much goes on behind the scenes to keep us safe,' he said. 'It's eye-opening and definitely worth the time.' Applications for the Academy are due by Aug. 15 and may be completed online at or by picking up an application in the Police Department lobby, 121 Symonds Drive.
Wales Online
09-05-2025
- Wales Online
Mum's warning to all women after abusive 'predator' ex freed from jail early
A mum-of-three has issued a warning to women in the Midlands after her abusive ex-boyfriend was freed from jail early. Matthew Kowal was jailed for three years last November after being convicted of three counts of assault and one count of common assault. He had been remanded in custody ahead of his trial which means that time spent on remand would have counted towards his sentence. It is understood Kowal has since been moved from prison to a property in Stoke-on-Trent just eight weeks into his sentence. Victim Hayley Johns, who suffered four years of abuse at the hands of Kowal, has now slammed the criminal justice system. The 38-year-old said: "I want to bring attention to the people residing in the area what kind of man he is. READ MORE: DWP PIP warning over changes that could see some UK households lose out on £12k "He is an absolute predator. People don't need to believe me. "Don't take my word for it - just make sure you do a Clare's Law search on him and go from there. "Please trust your gut based on what you see. "I'm very, very lucky that he didn't kill me. "There were a number of occasions where it was very close. "I don't want someone to lose their life because I didn't speak up." Nail technician Hayley said her relationship with Kowal began in May 2020 and was initially 'magical', StokeonTrentLive reports. Issues began for the couple when they moved in together, she said. Hayley said: "We met working as couriers during the first Covid lockdown. "When it ended, we started a relationship. "As the second lockdown started, we decided to form a bubble together. "He moved in with me - and by the end of the year the attacks had started. "I was with him for four years. During that time, multiple attacks were happening. "He was very controlling and coercive. He had me isolated from my friends and family. "He just wasn't a nice person at all. I never felt I could say anything." Hayley told how her friend encouraged her to raise the alarm with police and 'saved her life'. She said: "It took the help of a friend to get me out of it. "Last March, he attacked me and ended up putting me in hospital. "I was that bad that they couldn't even take my blood pressure. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here. "Every single part of me was bruised, I couldn't stand being touched. "My friend had a feeling something was wrong at home so she came to see me. "After one look at me she said "you're going to the police station and I'm not taking no for an answer". She saved my life." Hayley described how she contemplated suicide when she was told her attacker was being released from prison. She added: "My prison liaison officer has told me he's been released to Stoke-on-Trent because his Nottingham prison was full. "I nearly killed myself when I found out he was getting released. "People need to watch out for him. He's so good at manipulation. "At the start of the relationship, you won't see it. It's magical to begin with. "Even better than the usual honeymoon period because he's already employing the little underhanded tactics that you won't recognise until it's too late. "He'll portray himself as the most charismatic, perfect person. "By the time the first blow of physical or emotional abuse comes from him, he's got you right where he wants you. "Then that's it - you're trapped." The Ministry of Justice did not comment on the case of Kowal, formerly of of Mackworth. A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "Anyone released into Home Detention Curfew faces strict licence conditions and must be tagged. "Those who break the rules face being returned to custody."
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Polish official warns Trump against "historical mistake" regarding Russia
Paweł Kowal, Head of the Polish Council for Cooperation with Ukraine, which advises Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's government on Ukraine, has warned that US President Donald Trump risks making a "historical mistake" if his negotiations to end the war in Ukraine result in Washington recognising Russia's claims to Crimea and other occupied territories. Source: Financial Times (FT), citing Kowal, as reported by European Pravda Details: Kowal believes that Poland and the rest of Central Europe will consider a red line crossed if Russia's expanded borders are legally recognised. Kowal noted that there is a clear difference between "provisional solutions" to end the fighting in Ukraine and fulfilling "Russian expectations to recognise Crimea, Donbas or other parts of Ukraine [as Russia], which would be a historical mistake". Kowal warned that if this sets a precedent that allows Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin to expand "imperial Russia", "it would be horrible". "Russia, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, recognised Ukraine with their borders, also including Crimea and Donbas, and that's the basis of the rules of international law. The international legal guarantees for borders in central Europe are also some of the main guarantees to keep peace in that region, according to our historical experience," he said. Meanwhile, Kowal expressed confidence that Trump will not allow Russia to officially control Ukrainian territory but will instead recognise the ongoing threat posed by Putin. He is also convinced that Trump will also not risk preventing American companies from investing in Ukraine's postwar recovery without providing the strong security guarantees that Kyiv and its European allies want. "For the politicians, it's very easy to separate political guarantees from business guarantees and from military guarantees, but if real [corporate] money is to invest in Ukraine, they will ask for serious American guarantees," Kowal said. Background: Recently, media reports suggested that Trump was considering recognising occupied Crimea as Russian territory as part of a potential agreement to end the war. Commenting on these reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Trump had not raised the issue of Russian-occupied Crimea in conversations with him. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy had previously acknowledged that territorial issues would be on the table of future peace talks to end the war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Disappearing act: Murals on East Naples building are going, going, gone soon
Colorful murals on a high rise in East Naples that were found to violate county code are disappearing with the sweep of paint rollers. The paint over in off-white on the interior side mural of the Ascent high rise under construction at Davis Boulevard and U.S. 41 East began Monday. A worker high up on the scaffolding with roller in hand could not say how long it will take to cover up two matching murals on two sides of the building. It depends in part on the weather, he said, when asked. The massive murals became a source of controversy in the community, with critics describing them as a "Kleenex box." Art supporters and members of the Bayshore Arts District circulated a petition last year in hopes the murals could stay. The petition garnered 956 signatures. Collier County deemed the vibrant floral murals as a code violation, with Commissioner Dan Kowal saying last fall they were effectively banned in the county years ago. The developers of the luxury apartment development agreed in September to replace the murals with more low-key paintings in grey and white with a geometric pattern. That would be in keeping with what county staff originally saw in the architectural plans. The murals were designed by a well-known artist who goes by the name DAAS, from Austin, Texas. Kowal, whose district includes the site and who handled the issue on the county's behalf, previously said he was told multiple contractors were working on the high rise and one hand didn't know what the other was doing and the murals went up by mistake. The Collier County Commission avoided having to take legal action to get the murals removed, or at least having to pursue a code enforcement case against the developers of the Ascent. The Ascent is a joint venture involving the Dolben Co., GFI Development and SK2 Capital. It is a mixed use building with 270 luxury apartments that will include a restaurant and shops. A grand opening party is scheduled for April 3. The project is part of the larger redevelopment, called Metropolitan Naples, in the Bayshore Gateway Triangle, on land that had been vacant for years. The developer can't apply for the certificate of occupancy "until the mural is removed and repainted with the approved rendering," said Sarina Francis, an executive coordinator for Commissioner Kowal, on Wednesday. The certificate is required for move-in. Amanda Jaron, founder of the Bayshore Arts District, a nonprofit whose mission is to encourage growth and development through creative placemaking, isn't happy about the removal of the murals. She started the petition on to save them. She lives and owns a jewelry store in the area, known for its creative vibe. "Murals transform communities by building relationships, creating pride, and revitalizing neighborhoods. This building, located in a designated redevelopment zone with a mural overlay, marks a sad day for Collier County and the art community because this mural did exactly what it was supposed to do," she said in an email. She added: "The win here is that it's forever branded as the 'Kleenex box,' and the building is now iconic for the lack of a mural, rather than the change it brought to this vacant corner. While this building had art that can be viewed by the public, it's art that was created on a private building with private funds in a redevelopment zone that allows for private murals." Further, she stated: "Collier County needs to embrace the role of public art in development. Murals are more than just decoration; they foster collaboration and inspire change, which is exactly what this vacant land needed." She pointed out that the county does not have an architectural review board, and she questioned the "approval process." "There are two versions of the 'approved' mural on the design renderings. Both generated by AI on the submitted county document rendering. Either way, it will be Collier County's first AI designed mural in whatever design they choose to paint," Jaron said. Many are delighted to see the murals go, saying they had no place in the community. Harvey Brenner, a nearby resident, said he was tired of seeing the murals as he drove by the site, describing them as plain "ugly." "The only comment to be made is that the building, plus the 'Kleenex box mural,' do not belong in our paradise we call Naples," he said. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Colorful murals on building that artists wanted to keep get painted over
