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Sheriff's office, residents receive crime prevention awards
Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009
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The Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention recognized the Charles County Sheriff's Office with six awards for outstanding crime prevention programs at the 29th annual crime prevention awards ceremony. Patrick Bradley, executive director, Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, left, presents an award for outstanding proactive crime prevention to Catherine and Jesse Poole of Waldorf with Gary D. Maynard, secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
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The Maryland Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention recognized the Charles County Sheriff's Office with six awards for outstanding crime prevention programs at the 29th annual Crime Prevention Awards Ceremony held on Dec. 9.
"I'm proud of the work performed by our officers and Charles County residents," Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey (D) said in a press release. "Their willingness to put forth that extra effort certainly led to the success of our crime prevention programs."
Coffey accepted a Governor's Crime Prevention Award given to those agencies that met the 2008 criteria for Comprehensive Crime Prevention programs in areas of personal, residential and commercial security. Among its efforts, the sheriff's office provides free residential and commercial security surveys and community crime prevention seminars.
The sheriff's office also works with citizens to establish Citizens on Patrol and Neighborhood Crime Watch groups and participates in national efforts such as National Night Out and the McGruff safety campaign, according to the release.
The Charles County Student Crime Solvers Program was recognized by the Governor's Office for Outstanding Crime Prevention. Cpl.s Don Kabala and C. Cusmano received awards for their work coordinating the program throughout each of the county's high schools and middle schools. The program allows students to provide information about criminal activity while remaining anonymous.
With more than 200 cases solved since its inception in September 2007, Coffey said, "The student Crime Solvers program has been a tremendous resource for our agency in terms of identifying those responsible for criminal acts that occur in or around our schools. I look forward to continuing our work with the Crime Solvers Board of Directors to keep this program in the forefront of our crime fighting strategies."
Pfc. Charles Caldwell received an award given to law enforcement officers who made an outstanding effort in their agency and in their communities to develop and implement crime prevention programming. Caldwell was recognized for his work in identifying quality of life issues in his patrol area and working with the residents to solve those issues.
"Together, Officer Caldwell and community residents developed strategies to
combat the problems to help keep their community safe," Coffey said in the release.
Jesse Poole and his wife, Catherine, of Waldorf received an award for Outstanding Proactive Crime Prevention in Maryland. The award was given to crime prevention programs that had a significant impact on the prevention of crime in communities.
The Pooles have been involved in National Night Out for over 10 years, often sharing their house as a rallying point and providing food for the evening's events.
John Hayden of La Plata received the Governor's Crime Prevention Award given to individual citizens who promote crime prevention in their community. Hayden's work with Project Graduation — an event held two nights a year after the county's high school graduation ceremonies — provides a chemical-free and cost-free gathering where graduates and their guests can safely celebrate their high school graduation was recognized as having a positive impact on teens.
"It's a great honor to receive these awards," said Coffey in the release, adding, "By working together, we can make a difference."
