Police award citizens for making a difference

Last night, the Miami Police Department gave awards out to citizens who make a difference in their neighborhood. I was honored to be one of the citizens. Above are Andres Lemos, co-chair of Grove Crimewatch, Heather Bettner, Mayor Tomas Regalado and Tom Falco.

A ceremony was held at the South District Substation on Flagler Street. Citizens from Coconut Grove, Flagami, Little Havana and Coral Way/Brickell were awarded certificates.

Commanders of each district did the honors. Mayor Tomas Regalado was present and also Commission Chair Marc Sarnoff, Commissioner Francis Suartez and Frank Carollo. It was a nice evening, food was served and everyone was proud to represent their neighborhoods.

I met our new Coconut Grove Neighborhood Resource Officer, Matthew Vasquez, who was at the event, here he is at left with Camille DePhillips.

The Grovites who were awarded the honor were, in alphatabetical order, Heather Bettner, Tom Falco, Peter Gardner, Dr. Rick Holton, Andres Lemos, Robert Loupo, Nick Mansbach, Sue McConnell, A.J. Milam, Max Milam, Margaret Nee, Lottie Person, Dr. Joyce Price, Renita Samuels-Dixon, Pierre Sands, Olav Smith and Homer Whittaker.


Above, part of the Grove group, from left: Andres Lemos, Heather Bettner, Officer Leo Carillo, Lottie Person, Commander Jorge Colina, Police Chief Miguel Exposito, Robert Lupo, Dr. Joyce Price, John Fitzgerald, Margaret Nee and Tom Falco.