November 6, 2011
ABBOTSFORD’S CRIME PREVENTION HEROES

ABBOTSFORD – Local crime prevention leaders from around the province were honoured at the annual Solicitor General Community Safety and Crime Prevention Awards. Among those honoured were Sgt. Mike Novakowski, Const. Davin Turner and Const. Mark Zawadsky of the Abbotsford Police.

The Winners:

• After a series of gang-related homicides in 2008 and 2009, Sgt. Mike Novakowksi developed and implemented several programs to promote positive life choices to youth, their parents and the community. These campaigns included a series of posters, videos, radio commercials and school presentations to thousands of Abbotsford students from elementary school right through to secondary school. Novakowski also generated provincial anti-gang awareness through campaigns that involved speaking to more than 3,000 parents and using a seized Hummer as a rolling crime-prevention billboard. Sgt. Novakowksi is being honoured with the Kenneth M. Lemckert Community Policing Award for his exemplary leadership in the area of community policing.

• Through their work with the Abbotsford Police Department’s Youth Squad, Const. Davin Turner and Const. Mark Zawadsky have been instrumental in uniting their community and eliminating a serious youth rivalry that threatened the safety of Abbotsford School District. They implemented a conflict intervention strategy in 2009 involving youth, family, friends, police, the Abbotsford Restorative Justice Action Association, the Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Crown counsel and Abbotsford Community Services to address the conflict. Over a period of many months, the intervention was successful in engaging the youth to focus on their educational goals and put the conflict behind them. Turner and Zawadsky’s proactive approach represents the highest form of service to youth in the community of Abbotsford. Const. Turner and Const. Zawadsky are being honoured with the Wael T. Audi Youth Policing Award for their outstanding commitment to working with youth in their communities.

Quotes:

“These officers have worked tirelessly to make our community safer. I want to thank them for their extraordinary contribution.”
-Abbotsford-Mission MLA Randy Hawes

“The three Abbotsford police officers honoured today have not only made our community safer, they’ve taught our youth how to resolve conflict. That’s a lesson they can use for the rest of their lives.”                                                                                                                                                                                                    -Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen

“Our community owes these officers a debt of gratitude. Their work has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Abbotsford students and their families, and I’m pleased they are to be recognized during BC Crime Prevention Week.”
-Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong

Additional information:

• The Solicitor General’s awards recognize excellence and leadership in crime prevention and community safety among children or youth, service clubs, media, businesses, local governments, community policing and individual, dedicated volunteers.
• Award recipients are selected by the Provincial Safe Communities Working Group, which is comprised of representatives from government, police and community organizations.

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