PORTION OF VETERANS PARK PLAYGROUND CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE

The lower playground play pad at Veteran's Park is currently closed for maintenance.Nearly 30 barricades and signs surround the affected play area. This closure does not affect the swing set at this playground or the adjacent playground at Veterans Park. The City is diligently working to complete maintenance and expects to have the play pad reopened in the near future.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to look for updates on the reopening by visiting the City's website at www.hooveralabama.gov or by following the City's various social media platforms.

They can also find other parks and playgrounds throughout the city by going to
http://hooveral.gov/453/Community-Neighborhood-Parks

STANDING ROOM ONLY AS ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING MOVES INDOORS

The threat of severe weather may have moved the City of Hoover's annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony indoors. But it wasn't enough to dampen holiday spirits. There was standing room only at the Hoover Library Theatre during Tuesday's program.

Will Lochamy with Birmingham Mountain Radio brought a jolly spirt as emcee, eliciting laughs and smiles throughout the night. The Spain Park Jazz Band started the program with a medley of Christmas tunes. The choirs from Gwin Elementary and Rocky Ridge Elementary also provided entertainment along with the Berry Middle School Sparklers Dance Team.

Five young people helped Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato flip the switch and officially turn on the tree lights. The lighters were Lucas, Sam and Micah Malouf along with Margaret Anne Palmer and Chasydi Jones. While a small tree was lit inside the theatre, the larger 40 foot tall that features over 62-thouand lights was simultaneously illuminated                                                                          

After the program, families headed to the Library Plaza where they enjoyed hot cocoa and Christmas tree shaped snack cakes. They also lined up to don big smiles in photos with Santa.

HOOVER POLICE DEPARTMENT EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION

The Hoover Police Department has earned national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the gold standard in public safety. This is Hoover PD’s first CALEA accreditation and demonstrates the high quality of service the department provides to the community.

Hoover Police Chief Nicholas Derzis, Mayor Frank Brocato, Accreditation Managers Lieutenant Matt Tomberlin (ret.) and Lieutenant Katy Webb, accepted the honor at the CALEA conference in St. Louis this last weekend.

“I’m very proud of the Hoover Police Department’s recent accreditation through CALEA,” said Chief Derzis. “We completed this comprehensive and rigorous process ahead of schedule, which is a testament to the high standards and professional best practices the department already had in place. The Hoover community expects the best. We want to serve our community and provide them with police services that not only meet their expectations, but exceeds them.”

National accreditation is a voluntary process that Hoover PD began in 2019. The rigorous, multi-year process includes a thorough self-assessment and a meticulous independent review of the department’s community engagement, equipment and facilities, and policies and procedures. The department is reviewed and measured against 180 internationally accepted public safety standards established by CALEA.

As part of the independent expert review in August 2022, CALEA assessors conducted interviews and meetings with the public. CALEA’s assessment findings for Hoover PD were reviewed and discussed, and the department was found to be in 100% compliance with all 180 standards. Following the hearing in St. Louis on Saturday November 19th, 2022,  the 21-member Board of CALEA Commissioners voted and approved Hoover PD for accreditation.

Hoover PD is among an elite group of law enforcement agencies in receiving the prestigious accreditation. Nationally, accreditation is obtained by only about 5% of all law enforcement agencies. In Alabama, HPD is one of just 13 municipal law enforcement agencies with CALEA accreditation.

There are many benefits of accreditation: it professionalizes the department, strengthens accountability, and helps build community trust. Accreditation is valid for four years; however, Hoover PD is required to complete annual reports and further assessments to ensure continued compliance with all 180 standards of excellence and best practices.