The 49th Precinct Community Council are preparing to salute several unsung heroes from the community and law enforcement.
The 49th Precinct Community Council’s 30th annual Fellowship Breakfast and Awards will be held on Friday, May 18 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Maestro’s Caterers.
NYPD Community Affairs Bureau chief Nilda Irizarry Hofmann will serve as the gala’s keynote speaker.
The event will commence with live musical performances from P.S. 83’s choir and the 49th Precinct Police Explorers color guard.
“Every year, we want to choose people whose names aren’t in the papers, but who are doing good in the community,” explained Joseph Thompson, 49th Precinct Community Council president.
This year’s non-precinct honorees include Thomas Twyman Citizen of the Year Award recipient the 49th Precinct Clergy Council and Business Fellowship Award recipient the New York Botanical Garden.
The 49th Precinct Clergy Council was selected for its many positive contributions including leading police officers in prayer before they ship out and participating in community marches denouncing violence.
The clergy council, whose members practice different faiths, work with 49th Precinct police officers in addressing quality of life issues while enhancing community and police relations.
A local institution enhancing the borough’s cultural image, NYBG, was chosen for a myriad of reasons: such as providing P.S. 83 an outside classroom compete with seats made from repurposed tree trunks and supplying residents with free gardening classes and workshops to advance their agricultural knowledge.
Founded in 1891, NYBG is one of the largest botanical gardens in any city in the nation.
In 2017, NYBG was ranked second in the Best Botanical Garden category of USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards for promoting and conserving Earth’s plant diversity and showcasing its vast collection in awe-inspiring, visitor friendly ways.
Law enforcement personnel from the 49th Precinct being formally recognized include Cop of the Year Melvin Rodriguez, Police Administrative Aide of the Year Yvette Santiago, Auxiliary Police Officer of the Year Daniel Suarez and Explorer of the Year Aobino Victorio.
Tickets are first come, first serve for the event. They cost $20 per person, $95 for a table of five or $175 for a table of ten, he said.
Thompson explained the four-nine’s commanding officer captain Thomas Alps meets with his Community Affairs and executive police officers to select the year’s top cops.
A committee of 49th Precinct Community Council board members based upon recommendations and discussion selects the civilian award recipients, he said.
In keeping with tradition, Thompson, on behalf of the 49th Precinct Community Council, will present the organization’s appreciation to dedicated 49th Precinct Holiday Food Drive contributors P.S. 83, P.S. 105, P.S. 108, Van Nest Academy, the Police Explorers, Lori Solano and Cub Scouts Pack 162.
Each aforementioned contributor donates approximately 17,000 pounds of food to the needy each year.
To purchase tickets, contact Thompson at (917) 783-4180, 49th Precinct Community Affairs police officer David Lepore at (718) 918-2025 or Silvio Mazzella at (917) 763-4392. Tickets may not be available at the door.
