Cpl. Shawn Anderson and Patrolman Brandon Norris are working to make Highland a safer community as coordinators of the Highland Community Crime Watch Program.
Working together since 2007, they lead bimonthly meetings at the Highland branch of the Lake County Public Library.
Crime prevention and statistics are covered, along with canine and taser demonstrations. Guest speakers from local, state and federal agencies also present information on a regular basis.
“I decided to become a coordinator because I believe the community is an asset to the department. Officers cannot be everywhere, and the citizens serve as our eyes and ears,” Anderson, 38, said.
In addition to conducting tours of the police department, the two give frequent public speeches and demonstrations.
“In the past, we have done presentations on identity theft for community groups. We also speak at some of the preschools in town as well as boy and girl Scout troops and talk about topics such as Stranger Danger and 911,” Anderson said.
“With the children, we want to let them know that the police are their friend and that we are there to help them,” he added.
Norris agrees. “I’m currently in my eighth year at the department and chose to work for Highland because I grew up here and take a lot of pride serving and protecting in the town my family and friends reside in,” he said.
A 2000 Highland High School graduate, Norris attended Purdue University Calumet and graduated in 2005 from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, later serving as a detective. He now resides in Crown Point.
“What I enjoy most about the profession is that my work day is never the same, and you never know what type of call you will be going to next,” he said.
“Shawn and I work well together and we had a friendship prior to working together at the police department.”
Anderson, a Highland resident in his 15th year with the department, attended Indiana University Northwest and completed several specialized training courses after graduating from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.
“Brandon and I simply have a passion for keeping Highland a safe place to live and raise a family. The crime watch program is one program that brings the police and community together,” Anderson said.
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