The Fairview Heights Police Department purchased a video game-style simulator, so that officers can get more training on how to handle life-or-death situations. The department purchased the same technology used by police academies across the united states, to help train officers. The simulator is programmed with 850 scenarios, which appear on a large screen. Officers will then respond to what is happening and decide whether it is a hostage situation or an emotionally unstable person holding the phone. The Fairview Heights Police Chief says that officers will have to respond to the real-life situations in split seconds. He stated, “the body has to naturally respond to those situations through training.” The department paid for the $29,000 simulator, by using money from drug seizures. The public can also try out the simulator at a May 12th open house.