TAKE THE PLUNGE  The Mt. Lebanon Police are inviting residents to be part of this year’s Polar Plunge, on the North Shore, Saturday,  December 12. The fundraiser supports Special Olympics. To become part of the team to jump into the frigid water for a good cause—or to stay warm at home and donate—go to the police plunge page.

CONTINUING ED Over the last few weeks, a group of Mt. Lebanon police officers received new training and certification. Lt. Duane Fisher and Lt. John Remark attended the FBI’s Great Lakes Leadership Seminar in Niagara Falls, New York, as part of the FBI’s law enforcement executive development training.

Five officers received standardized field sobriety testing instructor training at the Army Reserve base in Moon. Police Chief Aaron Lauth says this type of intense training is important because it helps make the department a leader in sobriety testing, and also allows the officers to be a greater help to the 10 communities in the regional DUI task force. The officers are: Lt. Duane Fisher, Lt. Mark Rayburg, Officer Mike Shell, Officer Cory Nolte and Officer Bryan Crabb. The five are now qualified to train other officers to give sobriety tests.

Officer Scott Green completed the International Police Mountain Bike Association instructor certification course in Delaware, Ohio, which will allow him to train other officers to augment the department’s six-man bike patrol.

PARCEL POACHERS Every holiday season, Mt. Lebanon Police warn residents not to leave gifts in the car, especially if they are in plain view of would-be thieves. But this year, police are also asking residents to be careful with packages delivered to their homes. Recent crime trends suggest thieves are following UPS and FedEx trucks and stealing packages from residential patios and doorways. Either have your packages delivered to a neighbor who will be home or have them sent to work or another monitored location to make sure you get all your holiday gifts.

MEDICAL RESCUE MEMBERSHIP Medical Rescue Team South’s annual membership drive is under way. An annual fee of just $42 per individual and $65 per household covers any co-pay, deductible or balance related to ambulance billing. A household subscription covers anyone who needs an ambulance while residing in or visiting your house. If you did not receive a membership packet in the mail, visit www.mrtsa.com and join online or call 412-343-5111. Membership is good through December 31, 2016.