The recent National Night Out, hosted in Gorham by public safety departments in the area, was popular with kids, who met officers, touched trucks and witnessed demonstrations. Christopher Normand Shaw, 4½, is pictured here with Capt. Steve Butts of the Cumberland County Sheriff”s Department.

The Pyle children visit the Haz Mat truck during National Night Out in Gorham. They are, from left, Brayden, 13; Bryce, 11; and twins Ashlyn and Katelyn, 7.

Citizens Police Academy

Sgt. Ted Hatch has announced the department’s Citizen Police Academy is shooting to have classes start as soon as Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The 10-week academy will meet from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesdays. “The purpose of the academy is to expose citizens to the functions of the Maine criminal justice system, to introduce and maintain a working knowledge of the Gorham Police Department and how we approach community policing,” a flyer says.

Those applying are required to be at least age 21, live or work in Gorham, have no prior felony arrests or misdemeanor arrests in the past five years, and agree to a background check.

For applications, visit the Police Department, 270 Main St.; visit community programs on the police page of the town’s website www.gorham-me.org; or contact Hatch at 222-1681 or email [email protected].

UMF dean’s list

Students from Gorham named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at University of Maine at Farmington are Ashley Brown, Celeste Carpenter, Haley Jaramillo, Elizabeth Kane, Patricia Smith, Andrea Stemm, and Melissa Walls.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of the Fiscal Service reported on Aug. 10 that the U.S. public debt was $19,845,021,514,944.16.