Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 9-25-15 Edition

Features
Sheriff’s Office Awarded $625,000 By DOJ For Hiring
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this week, the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), awarded grants to five law en- forcement agencies in the Middle District of Florida.
These grants, which total $2,096,297, are intended to create, and in some cases pro- tect, 17 law enforcement posi- tions.
This year’s grantees in- cludes the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, ($250,000); Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, ($625,000); the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, ($875,000); the Rockledge Police Department, ($221,000); and the South Daytona Police Department, ($125,000); Tallahassee Po- lice Department, ($1,875,000); and Metropol- itan Dade County, ($3,125,000).
Larry McKinnon,
spokesman for the Hillsbor-
ough County Sheriff’s Office said, “This is an expansion of what we already have in place. In the first year, we were funded to hire 10 deputies, last year we re- ceived funding to hire 5 more, and this year, we have hired an additional five deputies.
“The deputies are as- signed to elementary schools for the purpose of fostering a positive relationship with youngsters at an early age. They are assigned to the ele- mentary schools so that they can also protect them from outside elements that may want to harm our children.”
McKinnon said the funding is a direct result of incidents at schools that hap- pened in recent years.
He further stated that the funding is not permanent, but for a 4-year period.
The COPS Hiring Pro- gram (CHP) provides grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers.
Group Sponsors Event To Raise $50,000 For Historic Catholic School
DONNA DOUGLAS ... Local Entertainer
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
For more than 120 years, St. Peter Claver Catholic School has been dedicated to educating children. Through the years, the school has experienced highs and lows, but its mission has re- mained steadfast.
In recent years, the school experienced low enrollment. However, that recently changed with the enrollment nearly dou- bling.
Now a group of community activists have launched an ag- gressive project to help the school. They are attempting to raise $50,000 to provide im- provements, school supplies, tu- ition, and scholarships for low-income students.
On Sunday, October 4th, the group will host “Jazz’ N at the Ritz.” The event will be held at The Ritz Ybor, 1503 E. 7th Av- enue.
The event will provide live entertainment that includes lo- cals such as Ms. Donna Dou- glas, Ms. Sonja Wise, Rock-It-Rod, and Shawn
MARVIN KNIGHT ... Community Activist
SONJA WISE
... Local Entertainer
Brown.
Marvin Knight said, “We
are trying to help the school be- cause it badly needs money to make improvements and sup- plies. Many of the children at- tending the school are from low-income families and need help with tuition. We also want to enlist mentors and volun- teers. This school has been in our community for 121 years and they need the support of every- one. We are calling on all former students and alumni to help out.”
He further said all of the
SHAWN BROWN ... Local Entertainer
proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the school.
Ms. Vivian Heyward said, “We want to raise as much as we can to help these kids. We want to enhance what the school al- ready has. The school needs a pavilion because they don’t have anywhere protection from the weather when they go outside for activities.
“We need to step in and help out with this worthy cause. We just really need to rally around this school so that our children can get a good education,” she said.
VIVIAN HEYWARD ... Community Activist
FYI
Popular Author, Producer To Deliver Keynote Address At Gala Ball
On Saturday, September 26th, Ms. Ilyasah Shabazz, a nationally known as a published author, a producer, and motiva- tional speaker will deliver the keynote ad- dress at the Formal Banquet and Gala Ball. The event will take place at the Robert W. Saunders Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Av- enue.
The theme for the event is “Our Lives, ILYASAH SHABAZZ
Our Children, Our Legacy.” ... To deliver keynote
Ms. Shabazz is the daughter of the late address at Gala Ball
Malcolm X. The event is sponsored by the
R. W. Saunders Public Library Foundation, Inc., and the Greater Tampa Chapter of Jack & Jill of America.
September 26th
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