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The Sarasota Police Department held its inau- gural Junior Law Enforcement Academy for 30 children on July 9, the department has announced. The event gave children a chance to observe the inner workings of the Police Department, a news release says. Chief Bernadette DiPino spent time talking with children, sharing safety tips and encouraging the youngsters to keep in touch with the Police Department, the release adds. Academy participants had the opportunity to try on equipment, such as a "bomb suit," and take part in a SWAT Challenge on the west lawn of the Police Department grounds, the release continues. Other specialty units participated in the activities, including the Marine Patrol and Dive Team, Criminalistics, K9 and the Emergency Response Team, the release notes. Plans are in the works for other future junior law enforcement days, the release says. To see video highlights of the July 9 activities, click here. POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLDS INAUGURAL JUNIOR ACADEMY The animal rescue and recovery team at Mote Marine Laboratory recently received $12,104 from the Sea Turtle Grants Program to purchase a new boat that will enhance Mote's response to distressed sea turtles, dol- phins and whales and make possible "new research about the threats they face," Mote has announced in a news release. The funds helped pay for a 13-foot Boston Whaler for Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response service for sick, injured and stranded sea creatures in Sarasota and Manatee counties, the release notes. Mote bought the boat "at a substantial discount from Marine Max Sarasota, located on City Island," the release says. Between 2003 and 2013, Mote responded to 697 sea turtles, the most commonly stranded marine animals in the two counties, the release continues. Thirty percent of the cases during the past year required a marine ves- sel, the release points out. "Animals found alive are brought to Mote's hospitals for treat- ment, while those recovered dead are given a NEW MOTE BOAT TO ENHANCE RESPONSES TO DISTRESSED SEA LIFE thorough necropsy (animal autopsy)," it says. "Findings are provided to state and federal wildlife managers and help fuel cutting-edge science." While Mote has several multi-use research vessels and its staff works closely with wildlife officials to address each stranding quickly, "having a powerboat dedicated to the Stranding Investigations Program allows even more efficient responses at all hours," the release explains. "Speed is essential whether the animal is reported dead or alive," said Gretchen Lovewell, manager of Mote's Stranding Investigations Program, in the release. "For living animals entangled in fishing gear, a swift response may be all that saves them from drowning with the rising tide or exhausting their energy reserves. For an animal that has recently died, an hour in the Florida heat can make a major difference in how much their tissues have decomposed — and in turn, how much we can learn from examining them. This new vessel allows for a quicker, more Sarasota News Leader July 11, 2014 Page 81