Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 2, 2018
Although they have already been hard at work in the City of Fernandina Beach for not quite two years, the Police Foundation (FBPF) has remained largely under the radar. That is about to change, as the organization kicks off its first fundraiser. Be on the lookout for one of the folks pictured below, who may be paying your home or business a visit in the next few weeks seeking support for programs that support the Fernandina Beach Police Department.
If you have attended any festival or parade in Fernandina Beach, you have seen members of the Police Auxiliary Corps wearing their familiar yellow vests assisting police with traffic control and helping visitors cross busy streets. You may also be familiar with the successful Shop With Cops program that gives many local school children the opportunity to shop with police officers during the holiday season. But you may not be familiar with other important programs supported by the Police Foundation: Signal 35, an officer assistance program; Police Community Relations; and the Chaplaincy Program.
Police Auxiliary Corps (PAC)
Twelve years ago Police Chief James Hurley introduced the concept of PAC to the community. As a result many men and women have volunteered to work with the FBPD to offer event support and to extend law enforcement duties and logistics when called upon for help. The PAC volunteers are readily identifiable by their yellow vests and helpful demeanor. Without their steady, dedicated commitment to helping police efforts, special events would be more costly to both event organizers and taxpayers.
Shop With Cops
This program enables more than 150 school children selected by local school guidance counselors according to strict criteria to spend $100 each buying holiday gifts for themselves and their families. Accompanied by local police officers, these children from underprivileged families walk the aisles of Walmart during the holiday season, selecting clothing and toys for themselves and family members. FBPF Chair Harry Kegler said that direct donations will continue to support this program, but the fundraising drive will be able to augment those funds. Kegler said that during the shopping outings, “People ask us what is going on. When we tell them, it is not uncommon for us to receive spontaneous contributions on the spot.” Kegler said that 100 percent of funds donated for this program are used directly for this program.
Signal 35 Officer Assistance Program
Signal 35 is a program providing financial assistance to any local police officer or their immediate families that find themselves in financial difficulty as a result of a violent act perpetrated against the law enforcement member or his/her family. It is notable that local law enforcement personnel support this program so strongly that they themselves make payroll deductions to help fellow officers and their families.
Police Community Relations
The Police Department and the Foundation work diligently to encourage and foster strong relations with the local community. Active duty police conduct a Citizens Academy twice a year to familiarize the community with police activities and crime investigation methods. The Foundation is working to develop a Safe In Place program for senior citizen. In this endeavor, they work with other community based organizations.
Chaplaincy Program
This program recruits and trains Chaplains to assist police officers and civilian personnel. Local chaplains in the program donate their time to provide support in death notifications and counseling those in distress. The Police Foundation provides guidelines for riding with police officers and for participating in law enforcement activities.
All five of these programs of the Police Foundation are supported by community volunteers and with the financial support of local businesses and residents.
The FBPF works hand-in-hand with the Fernandina Beach Police Department, supplementing their outreach and public safety efforts in the community and providing additional funding not covered by the annual city budget.
City Police Chief James Hurley has strongly endorsed the work of the Police Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. In a letter dated February 26, 2018, Hurley wrote to community and business leaders, “On behalf of the Foundation board members and our dedicated police officers, I am asking that you consider a contribution to the FBPF’s 2018 campaign which will provide financial assistance to the five active divisions …”
Tony Quattrochi, a PAC volunteer since the program’s inception who has recently joined the board, is heading up the current fundraising effort, which kicked off March 1, 2018. The goal is to raise $50,000. Initial outreach is to local business and community leaders, but contributions from the community are welcome. For more information on volunteer opportunities or fundraising, email [email protected] or call (904) 310-3254.
Those interested in donating to the Police Foundation effort may make checks payable to Fernandina Beach Police Foundation and mail or drop them off at the Fernandina Beach Police Station, 1525 Lime Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. All contributions are confidential and will be promptly acknowledged.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.