Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s Milwaukee chapter and Safe & Sound, Inc. this week announced recipients of the organizations’ Crime Prevention Awards program, which puts a spotlight on the efforts of law enforcement and community members to reinforce neighborhood safety.
The two nonprofits adopted the awards program from the Milwaukee Exchange Club after that organization’s 65-year history of heading the awards.
Honorees, divided into a “Community Awards” category and a “Law Enforcement” category, will be celebrated during a special luncheon on Jan. 27 in the Grand Ballroom of the Wisconsin Club.
By recognizing law enforcement officials, community members and business professionals, the program touts the idea that neighborhood safety requires the cooperation everyone, said Katie Sanders, executive director of Safe & Sound.
On the Community Awards side, winners include Cyril Nwonye, manager of Walgreen’s Milwaukee store located at 4808 N. Hopkins St. Nwonye, who is receiving an award for “Outstanding Corporation or Business,” is a top example of the impact a business and its leaders can have on crime prevention initiatives, Sanders said.
“His story is a perfect example of a business playing a critical role in crime prevention,” Sanders said. “He’s been a really involved community member, providing resources and space and communication with law enforcement and the residents around in order to provide a safe store for his customers and a safe community for those who live nearby.”
Along with strengthening communication channels with Milwaukee police officers and promoting positive relations among police and community residents, Nwonye has distributed bags for community cleanups and has supported food drives and holiday events. He has also collaborated with other area groups to raise the level of crime awareness and build a stronger sense of community.
A separate business-oriented award, the “Outstanding Greater Milwaukee Partnership Award,” is highlighting the crime prevention momentum propelled forward by the Automobile Dealers Association of Mega Milwaukee, Inc. In partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department and other community entities, ADAMM equipped hundreds of cars with ignition disabling devices to “prevent auto-theft in high crime areas,” according to LISC and Safe & Sound.
Last year, ADAMM donated 500 ignition disabling devices and volunteered dealership technicians’ time to install a portion of the devices in cars. More installations will take place this year, according to Sanders, who said the organization has “gone above and beyond in ensuring (that) owners are securing their cars.”
Additional Community Award winners include:
*Beth Rosenow, named “Outstanding Individual Involved in Crime Prevention. Two years ago, Rosenow launched a business block watch and has since reached out to more than 100 businesses to emphasize the need for crime prevention.
*Ronald Kreutzer, honored for “Outstanding Block Club/Community Collaboration.” Kreutzer is a community-minded block watch captain who has teamed up with police officers and city officials to address ongoing neighborhood issues.
*The Milwaukee Police Department’s Community Action Team, saluted as the program’s “Outstanding Faith Based Organization.” The initiative, based in district 7, unites individuals from a cross-sector of religions to facilitate dialogues on pertinent community issues.
Law Enforcement Awards are honoring police officers Carrie Resnick and Tracey Genisse as “Outstanding Community Liaison Officers, Sgt. Wesam Yaghnam for an “Outstanding Professional Contribution,” the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for “Outstanding Professional Contribution,” and area resident Charlie Hibbler for an “Outstanding Civilian Contribution.”
While a committee of community members selected law enforcement award winners from a pool of public nominations, a separate law enforcement committee vetted nominations for the community awards.
The 2015 Crime Prevention Awards Luncheon, open to the public, is scheduled for noon at the Wisconsin Club, located at 900 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee. Event organizers expect about 150 attendees. A limited number of seats are still available, and admission costs $30.
For more information, contact Safe & Sound at 414-220-4798.
