Northwest Bronx communities came together to celebrate the men and women who keep them safe.
The 52nd Precinct Community Council held its 9th Annual Community Council Fellowship Recognition Breakfast on Friday, October 26 at Monroe College, with keynote speaker college president Stephen Jerome.
Police officers as well as community leaders and elected officials were honored.
52nd Precinct commanding officer Inspector Joseph Dowling told attendees the precinct and its communities have great neighborhoods, people, and cops.
Police officers honored included officers who dressed up as super heros for National Night Out, and members of the Domestic Violence Unit as well as officers who have made significant arrests, took guns off the street, and went undercover to break up a drug distribution operation in Bedford Park.
Planning for the breakfasts, which have grown over the years, typically begins in June, said 52nd Precinct Community Council president Brenda Caldwell-Paris.
Officers honored for their outstanding patrol work were Sgt. Vincenzo Spinola, Police Officer James Arneth, P.O. Keith Gonzalez, P.O. Joseph Walsh, P.O. James Marcinek, Sgt. Gary Franklin, P.O. Eric Acevedo, P.O. Pastor Ramirez, P.O. Kyle Bach, Intel Sergeant Michael Diaz and P.O. Donneill.
Dowling himself was honored, as was former precinct executive officer and current 45th Precinct commander Captain James McGeown. Civilian Recognition awards went to Senator Gustavo Rivera, West Bronx Neighborhood Center director Sally Dunford, 52nd Precinct Administrative Assistant Thomas Chacko, Auxiliary Police Officer Felix Collado, and Law Enforcement Explorer Inspector Mario Liranzo and Reverend Robert Foley Sr. of A.M.E. Cosmopolitan Church.
Patrick Rocchio can be reach via e-mail at procchio@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 742-3393
