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It seems to me it is easier to ask forgivness than permission...

If you don't think you will like the answer don't ask the quetion.

FWIW

Chuck

HighVelocity wrote:Make sure you ask the person in charge if you're CHL will allow you to carry while participating in their program.
I would be surprised if they allow firearms to be carried by non LE personel at ANY time.

Hi hi-power,
The town just to the south of you, Colleyville, also has a CPA. They offer their CPA about once a year and one just started yesterday (1/24 Thursday). Colleyville being a small town has a number of mutual-aid agreements with the surrounding cities (including Grapevine). When I went through Colleyville's CPA, the SWAT presentation was done by Grapevine (Lt. Vandusey - SP?). Enjoy the class! I enjoyed mine.

This thread made me remember an article in the Grapevine Courier from last summer:
Here is the link:
Citizen Academies Thriving

rkeller wrote:Hi hi-power,
The town just to the south of you, Colleyville, also has a CPA. They offer their CPA about once a year and one just started yesterday (1/24 Thursday). Colleyville being a small town has a number of mutual-aid agreements with the surrounding cities (including Grapevine). When I went through Colleyville's CPA, the SWAT presentation was done by Grapevine (Lt. Vandusey - SP?). Enjoy the class! I enjoyed mine.

Hello rkeller. I heard that Colleyville had police and fire programs also. Do they have a VIPS program?

I'm sure we had the same great SWAT presentation with that same Lt.

Anyway, the wife and I are all graduated and we've been doing a lot more training so we can start volunteering on a regular basis. Since I work full time already, about all I'll be able to do is patrol a night or two per week.

It's funny that NO ONE notices what it says on the side of the VIPS cars. I've never seen so many people reaching for seat belts or slamming on the brakes. But we're not patrolling for any of that. Just to help citizens and visitors, report any suspicious activity that we may happen to see, and whatever else we can do to so that the LEOs can concentrate on law enforcement.

I'm guessing we have 40-50 regular volunteers. The Grapevine VIPS program is about a year old and it appears our activities will continue to broaden in scope as time goes by, as long as we don't do anything to adversely affect the level of trust established to this point.

"It's funny that NO ONE notices what it says on the side of the VIPS cars"

I do, I do - the cars have a different "signature" than the traditional GV squad cars (bumper, rooflights, etc)...I like seeing them around, it's a good idea.

BTW - hello to a fellow GV'er!

PUCKER wrote:"It's funny that NO ONE notices what it says on the side of the VIPS cars"

I do, I do - the cars have a different "signature" than the traditional GV squad cars (bumper, rooflights, etc)...I like seeing them around, it's a good idea.

BTW - hello to a fellow GV'er!

Howdy PUCKER. OK, in that case, I'll have to edit it to say "Hardly anyone notices..."

Good to have another GV'er on this forum!

My wife is a graduate of the Webster Citizen academy, and I have been thinking about joining the next time Missouri City offers it. Maybe this year.

I live in Grapevine and was unaware of this program. BTW, I joined that forum too.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I live in Grapevine and was unaware of this program. BTW, I joined that forum too.

Great to hear from another GV'er!

If you're interested in that program, I was told that the "Spring" class that starts next week is booked, (around 20 people is the limit), but you can sign up early for the fall class. I think that starts in September. Go here and email Sgt. Clay Gidney.

Hi hi-power,
You'all in Grapevine are way ahead of us in Colleyville in the CPA program. We have just established our Alumni organization, officers (I am Secretary) and are working on mission statement, dues, and programs. We hope to eventually establish our COPs (Citizens On Patrol) program in the near future, but its taking a little while. (Some on the city council are dragging their feet.) Hopefully some day I will be able to post a great picture (like yours) showing me in our patrol unit. See ya on the streets!

i'm curious. I see the car has a light bar. Does it contains red flashing lights?

gregthehand wrote:i'm curious. I see the car has a light bar. Does it contains red flashing lights?

Nope...flashing yellow lights and clear strobes.

I'm glad Hi-Power and Spouse enjoyed the CPA in Grapevine so much, and they're still rolling with the continued volunteer program. It's a great program and I highly recommend it. I enjoyed the classes for the most part, only got bored a few times and that was due to the fact that I went through a whole police academy for real in my previous career, so a lot of stuff was "old hat" to me. I really had fun on smoke breaks when I could compare war stories with the assistant chief.

I can't really stand the thought of driving around unarmed in a car with a police paint scheme after having done it with plenty of ordinance on hand for eight years, so I'll never be a "Citizen on Patrol". I'll stick to covering my own neighborhood while walking the dog and packing heat with a CHL.

Hey, Hi-Power, time for us to meet up at Bass Pro's range. I just plunked down my latest article earnings on a Kimber Eclipse Ultra II. My first 1911...everyone tells me after I shoot it I'm going to want to sell off the Beretta PX4 Storm and the other miscellaneous double-actions I have and buy more Kimbers.

You will LOVE your Kimber - every time I let someone shoot mine I have to wipe the drool off of it...lol...and I don't have a "fancy" one - just a Compact Aluminum, it's a sweet shooter, and my first 1911-style purchase.

Hi-Power

Since no one else has asked, and I'm curious; Did you carry during the orientation?