Heather Murtagh/Daily Journal South San Francisco police volunteer Chris Michaelis helps demonstrate the K-9 unit training. Michaelis estimated he’s been bitten more than 12,000 times.

If there’s a street light out, who should replace it? Unsafe streets are an issue but not an immediate threat, should the police be notified? When a local park is vandalized, who repairs it? These and many more mysteries are demystified when citizens sign up to take an 11-week crash course on how South San Francisco works.

South San Francisco began V.I.S.I.O.N. — Values, Integrity, Service, Insight, Optimism and New Ideas — in 2006 after a citizen sent an e-mail requesting the consideration of an academy in late 2005.

“People will have something rolling around, and they don’t know who or where to bring it up. So, it just sits,” said Susan Kennedy, assistant to the city manager.

Each week citizens get an insider’s look at a different city department. Two classes of 25 have graduated from the 11-week program since it began. The third class is underway — it began in March. Although the fire and police departments are the most well known, residents seem to find places like the water treatment plants, planning division and corporation yards. An extended academy is available solely to learn about the police department.

The 11-week citywide session includes one night on police as well. Recent South City students got to experience this one-night glimpse with SWAT force and K-9 officers to boot.

“The worst thing I could ever hear is, ‘Well, I didn’t want to bother you guys,’” said Capt. Mike Massoni.

People know their neighborhood better than anyone else. If something were not right, he went on to explain, they would know more than a cop driving through the neighborhood. That’s why protecting the area needs to be a partnership, he said.

Citizens were treated to a relaxed, anything-goes explanation with a laid-back question and comment policy. Police officers openly and jovially answered questions about myths like having a ticket quota to meet, how to tell who the bad guy is in a hostage situation, and the training requirements for patrol volunteers. Questions came about everything from how many officers work for South San Francisco and community services offered to the misnomers of “CSI” and the perks of getting out of the car to play ball with local children.

A crime scene flashed on the screen depicted a doughnut with jelly coming out the side and caution tape in front.

“OK, this is a graphic crime scene for police officers,” Massoni said with a laugh. “I had to get a doughnut joke in there.”

Much like the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend — and many of those dogs are sworn officers donning badges on their collars.

There are five K-9 officers in South San Francisco — more than most Peninsula cities. These specially trained dogs can find a number of drugs, items thrown by suspects and hiding suspects. Although each dog can attack a suspect — as depicted by various dogs finding and apprehending volunteer Chris Michaelis for the class — each dog also needs to respond to an order to back off at a moment’s notice.

The dogs practice every Wednesday night with Michaelis as target practice. Michaelis estimated he’s been bite more than 12,000 times.

All this insight and first-hand knowledge is offered with a complimentary dinner in hopes of showing people the inner-workings of a city. Also, the class works as an introduction to how citizens can become more involved with volunteer efforts and commission openings that may fit their niche.

The next academy is scheduled for the fall.

For more information visit www.ssf.net, e-mail vision@ssf.net or call Susan Kennedy at 829-6603.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.