Thursday, Dec. 6, the Champaign Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team will be holding training exercises in and around the 1200 block of West Park Street. The training, which will begin in the morning and potentially carry over into the afternoon, will be conducted using abandoned residences awaiting demolition in the area, including 105 N. James St., 1201 W. Park St. and 1203 W. Park St.
Citizens should expect to see an increased police presence in the area and nearby residents and businesses are advised training devices may on occasion produce noise that is loud in nature. As with any emergency, the general public is asked to stay clear from the training site to aid officers in providing adequate response as if it were a real-life situation.
The upcoming training is part of the ongoing, approximately 200 hours of specialized training that the SWAT Team, as well as other specialized units within the police department, receive on an annual basis. Training locations are identified by space availability, and routine exercises help to ensure that response and service standards provided to the community are at the highest level possible.
Door-to-door canvassing is being provided to area residents and businesses, and signage will be clearly posted around the training perimeter, while training is active.
Media interested in attending the training should contact Sergeant Lack in advance of the training for details.