Hey folks, can you believe summer is already here? Is time flying by or what? Soon, the youngsters will be out of school and we’ll be on our ways hither and yon to vacations. I hope everyone has a really great summer and that great times are had by all. Please remember…Safety First! Please be safe and monitor the young ones, and please take all necessary precautions to insure the safety for all involved with your activities.
In one foul swoop…
Friday, May 25, 2012 saw the loss of over 120 years in police experience with the retirements of Sergeants Vince Catanzaro, Mark Hernandez, and Eddie Garcia from Central Station, and Tom P. Lee, Jr. of Richmond Station. It is a loss that our department will not soon recover from…if at all. As Gary, Marty, and I have been saying for quite some time now, “Get ready because this is an alarming glimpse into the personnel shortage of the future.”
The POA has been warning City Hall and the Board of Supervisors of this pending dilemma since 2006. We have done our due diligence in trying to keep as many full-duty officers on the streets as possible through the “Senior Officer” pay incentive as reflected in our MOU, and certainly through the DROP Program. Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors in their infinite wisdom decided to let the program sunset in 2011. Had the program been extended, it would have insured that many experienced members would have stayed in the department for a longer period of time.
The City Charter mandates that 1971 fully-duty Police Officers be employed to protect, serve and meet the continually growing needs of the San Francisco Community. The Chief is doing all he can to insure a strong police presence on the streets and to address officer safety concerns for ALL working cops and I applaud his efforts in doing so.
Officer Safety can never be compromised. It is up to ALL of us to make officer safety our utmost priority. Brazen thugs and bad guys continue to challenge our authority and our efforts to maintain the public peace. Getting into the faces of cops has become something of a sport for some twisted deranged individuals, and it’s not getting any safer out there. Calls for service are not declining…”On-view” contacts are increasing…the propensity of violence among punks and thugs against the cops is on the rise. It is important to protect yourself, your partner, and your fellow officers out there in the concrete jungle.
Be ever so vigilant of the environment around you. Wait for back-up prior to taking on a group of bad guys or lone suspicious characters. Listen to that little voice inside your head when it comes to exercising caution.
Remember, the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR JOB IS GOING HOME SAFELY AT THE END OF YOUR WATCH!
Art scholarships…
It gives me great pleasure and honor to announce that Sergeant Sherman Lee of Bayview Station, and Sergeant Luke Martin of Northern Station, are the 2012 POA/Academy of Art University of San Francisco Scholarship winners!
Sherman and Luke were chosen in great part because of their essays titled, “Why I Want to Attend the Academy of Art University of San Francisco.”
These Presidential Scholarships are made possible through the kindness and generosity of the university President, Dr. Elisa Stephens who continues to be a tremendous supporter and benefactor of our members and their families.
My heartiest congratulations to both Sherman and Luke and best of luck to you both as you enter into the academic world of art and an opportunity of a lifetime. I trust you will meet the challenges ahead of you with confidence and great success.
Sherman and Luke join a number of past Presidential Scholarship winners from our membership that include Josh Espinoza, Gerry Newbeck, Rosemarie Smith, Jason Hui, Leslie Forrestal, Brenda Walker, Sherry Hicks, and Cesar Perez.
The scholarship award students who are currently enrolled in the university are doing wonderful, inspiring work and are proving their worth.
I have had the honor and privilege to view some of the work offerings of Josh Espinoza and Rosemarie Smith, and they are nothing short of outstanding.
Speaking of outstanding work, Justin Lee, son of recently retired Sgt. Tom P. Lee Jr. from Richmond Station, also a Special Presidential Scholarship award recipient, is doing a phenomenal job in his chosen field of art, “Fashion Design.” I recently had the opportunity to spend time with Justin and his proud father as he displayed his portfolio of completed works and works-in-progress. Justin’s portfolio was very impressive to say the least. Justin’s love for art and fashion are truly reflected in his efforts and his works. Justin’s outstanding efforts are also reflected in his grades. In four very difficult, very challenging and very competitive classes recently completed, Justin received one “A” and three “A-minus” grades. That’s really something to be proud of.
You can imagine the pride Tom expressed in his son during our visit. Tom is very proud that his son has made the most of this wonderful “once in a lifetime” opportunity!
Our sincerest congratulations to Justin on your tremendous and continued success and our heartiest congratulations to you Tom on your retirement after more than thirty-two years of dedicated service to the San Francisco Police Department and to the citizens you so proudly served.
The POA also congratulates the twelve sons, daughters and relatives of our members who will be attending the Academy of Art University’s “Summer Art Experience.”
(In order to protect the identity and safety of these students, I will not publicize their names).
The “Summer Art Experience” is a fantastic six-week program that offers high school students an opportunity to experience the “university life” and a chance to explore their love of art and its many mediums. The SAE continues to be a very popular summer activity for many of our high school students.
The SFPOA would like to extend our very special thanks to Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of the University, and to the wonderful members of her incredible staff who work so hard to make this all possible: Ms. Penelope Summerville of University Promotions, and Public Relations Manager Ms. Sallie Hunting, Executive Vice-President of Public Relations, Ms. Rebecca Delgado Rottman, Vice-President of Government and Community Relations and Miss Tiffany Gragg, Manager of University Special Projects.
Note: A copy of both Sherman Lee and Luke Martin’s winning essays will be published in this edition of The Journal.
More Family Pride…
Sgt. Hector Jusino of Police Operations has good reason to beam with pride these days. His fourteen year old daughter, the bright, lovely and talented Stephanie Jusino, was crowned Miss Teen Vacaville on May 23, 2012 as part of Vacaville ’s “Fiesta Days.”
Stephanie’s crowning achievement is really quite stunning. She was able to complete her pageant training in a mere three weeks while her competition had three months to train and prepare. She is a very accomplished student at California Virtual Academy (CAVA) and just graduated from the eighth grade with High Honors. She was chosen to be the honored speaker for her graduating class. Stephanie is an “A” student and a member of the Honor Society.
Stephanie is a volunteer tutor at the local library, and swims two hours every day. She has twice been a member of the USA Junior Olympic Swimming Team, and aspires to qualify for the United States Olympic Swimming Team. If this lofty goal weren’t enough, she also looks forward to one day attending Law School.
When Stephanie has spare time, she loves to read and walk her rescue dog “Tag.”
As a result of her being named Miss Teen Vacaville, Stephanie received the “Keys to the City” from Mayor Steven Hardy!
Our sincerest and warmest congratulations to Stephanie and the Jusino family on her outstanding achievement! There’s no doubt that Stephanie, Miss Teen Vacaville 2012, has a very bright future ahead of her.
Honoring Judy…
On Thursday, May 24, 2012, family and friends gathered at The Paragon Restaurant to congratulate and honor the retirement of our dear and venerable friend, Judy Saunders. Judy has been an integral part of the San Francisco Police Department for many, many years and only recently retired after a tremendous career at Butler’s Uniforms, and later at Gall’s Uniforms.
Judy always greeted the cop’s with a great smile, a warm hello and a big hug! To say Judy Saunders is an institution within the SFPD would be an understatement. Judy was the principal uniform fitter for the San Francisco Police Department and was responsible for outfitting thousands of cops.
Judy’s great attitude and disposition were simply contagious…just a great, great gal!
A crowd of well-wishers gathered to honor Judy, and she was not to be disappointed! Surrounded by family and friends, Chief Greg Suhr gave a very nice tribute to Judy that elicited a thunderous applause. POA President Gary Delagnes and POA Treasurer Marty Halloran presented Judy with a beautiful plaque and a bouquet of flowers.
The presentations had just finished when a thunderous roar could be heard outside the restaurant… and then from out of the classic San Francisco fog emerged a platoon of SFPD Solos, roaring down Second Street and taking up a position befitting an Honor Guard just outside the Paragon Restaurant.
Judy emerged from the restaurant with tears in her eyes as “her boys” the Solos came to bid Judy good-bye in classic fashion…it was like a scene out of a movie. Judy hugged, kissed and thanked each and every Solo for their great gift. It was really something to behold.
The Solos as it turned out had just completed an escort for the King of Turkey in the Nob Hill area and were done for the day. Instead of returning immediately to the Hall, the “powers that be” decided that a fitting tribute to Judy Saunders was in order…and so it was.
It was a real San Francisco moment…one that columnist Herb Caen probably smiled upon approvingly.
Once again the Solos took the day by great command. They were the centerpieces of the moment and Judy loved and savored every minute of it!
Thanks to one and all who took the time to celebrate Judy’s great career and her well deserved retirement! I’m sure everyone who attended the event had a great time.
Judy, on behalf of the members of the San Francisco Police Department and certainly the POA, thank you for all you have done for us over the course of many, many years! You have been the consummate professional, and we will forever remember you in our hearts! God bless you and see you at Westlake Joe’s!
Please take care of yourselves out there…
Have a great summer!!! Go Giants…Go Yankees…Red Sox are still chumps…some things don’t change!
This month’s column is dedicated to Judy Saunders for her career-long love affair with the officers of the SFPD!
