Page 3 - 5-15-15 Friday's Edition

Features
New Chief Focuses On Training
Caregiver Gets Free Car From Local Dealership
And Community Relations
Thanks to Elder Ford of Tampa and Wheels of Success, an area caregiver was given a special thanks for all she does to give back.
On Tuesday, May 5th, Shemika C. was given a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta by Elder Ford as a life changing gift.
Robert Elder, Chief Exec- utive Officer of Elder Automo- tive Group, said they strongly support Wheels of Success’s mission to keep people working and sustain their independ- ence.
“We know that this vehicle donation will greatly aid Shemika and her family, and we hope we can raise awareness to the great significance reliable transportation has for working families.”
Wheels of success, Inc. is the only non-profit in the area
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Assistant Chief Eric Ward refers to himself as the Interim Chief. He won’t offi- cially become the new Tampa Police Chief until the position is confirmed by the City Coun- cil.
The confirmation will most likely take place later this month. But, already, Interim Chief Ward is contemplating some of the changes he plans to institute. Two of the areas in the forefront are the issues of police training and the depart- ment’s relationship with the community.
“When we went through the recession, we had to put training on the shelf. I want to focus on quality training be- cause it will increase the c0nfi- dence of the officers and their relationship with the commu- nity. They will become more professional,” he said.
Another area Interim Chief Ward wants to concen- trate on is community out- reach. He remembers programs in the community that provided guidance for him as a youngster. He wants to find a way to revive those programs.
However, while he wants to empower the youngsters, his vision is a partnership with the parents, community stake- holders, police, and the young- sters. “We can’t do it alone. We must work with everyone in the community so that we can provide structure and men- tors. This will get the children more involved and help them prepare themselves for the fu- ture.”
Interim Chief Ward has an ambition goal of making Tampa “one of the best cities in the nation.” And he knows for this to happen, it will take a strong relationship with the community and it must in- volve all of its citizens and not
In this photo are: Susan Jacobs, Shemika C., Barbara Uberoi, and Luis De La Torre, Sr.
ERIC WARD Interim Chief, Tampa Police Department
just a few.
While the goal is ambi-
tious, it is attainable. And, he is prepared to help make it be- come a reality.
A Tampa native, Interim Chief Ward, 48, is the son of Mrs. Lutricia Ward and the husband of Mrs. Alberta Ward. He is also the father of two adult children.
Interim Chief Ward
joined the Tampa Police De- partment 26 years ago in 1988. After graduating from Hills- borough High School in 1984, he prepared himself for a ca- reer in law enforcement.
Interim Chief Ward en- rolled at St. Leo College, where he earned his degree in Crimi- nal Justice. He continued his education at that institution of higher learning and earned his B. A. degree in Criminal Jus- tice.
During his career in law enforcement, Interim Chief Ward has been assigned to the Criminal Intelligence Bu- reau, K-9, Gang Suppression Unit, Firehouse Program, Street Anti-Crime Squad and Selective Enforcement Bureau.
He was also a member of the department’s Tactical Re- sponse Team, Honor Guard, and Hostage Negotiation Team before becoming a sen- ior staff member of the depart- ment.
Interim Chief Ward was raised in East Tampa, where he was a member of the Bel- mont Heights Little League.
providing permanent trans- portation solutions to low and moderate income working peo- ple who do not qualify for many social programs but still strug- gle to support themselves and their families. Wheels of Suc- cess has provided over 788 ve- hicles and 722 car related services.
“We are extremely grateful for Elder Ford’s very generous
donation that will undoubtedly have a monumental impact on Shemika and her family,” said Susan Jacobs, founder and CEO of Wheels of Success.
“Providing reliable trans- portation has demonstrated tangible results such as job ad- vancement, salary raises, com- pleted degrees and parents more engaged in their chil- dren’s education.”
1st Green Memorial Foundation Dinner Planned
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, May 23rd, the first Arthur Green, Jr., Memo- rial Foundation Dinner will be held. The event will take place at the University of South Florida’s Gibbons Alumni Cen- ter, 4202 E. Fowler Avenue, be- ginning at 6:30 p.m.
Local News Anchor Rod Carter will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. State Rep. Ed Narain successfully sponsored a bill to require police officers to have training about diabetes.
The bill is entitled the Arthur Green, Jr. Act. It was co-sponsored by Senator Tom Lee and is awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott.
Attorney Erin Smith Eabel, of the American Dia- betes Association, Tampa Bay Community Leadership Chair- person, is the second guest speaker. She is familiar with the disease because her mother and
ARTHUR AND LENA GREEN, JR.
daughter are both diabetics. The event was named in honor of the late Arthur Green, Jr., who died while in the custody of the Tampa Police Department. Mr. Green, 63, suffered a diabetic episode and was pulled over by a Tampa Po- lice officer for a traffic infrac-
tion.
Mr. Green was removed
from his vehicle and hand- cuffed. Emergency personnel were called when it was discov- ered that he was in distress. A known diabetic, Mr. Green died on April 16, 2014, at a local hospital.
Since his death, Mr.
Green’s widow, Mrs. Lena Young Green, and children have launched several projects to educate both law enforce- ment and the general public about diabetes.
Mr. Green’s family cre- ated the Arthur Green, Jr., Me- morial Foundation to help others who are affected by dia- betes.
According to the American Diabetes Association, more people die as a result of dia- betes than breast cancer and AIDS combined. In the United States, 26 million people (8.3% of the United States popula- tion) have diabetes. Of the 26 million individuals living with diabetes, 18 million have been diagnosed and 7 million are un- aware they have diabetes.
Florida’s population is above the national average with 8.9% of the population living with diabetes.
For more information about the event visit the website at www.arthurgreenjr.org.
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A