Deputy District Attorney prosecutes South County cases; dinner May 3
Published in the Feb. 5, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Stuart Scott
With 21 years working for the county’s District Attorney’s office, Deputy DA Stuart Scott will receive this year’s Public Safety Award from the Community Law Enforcement Foundation of Morgan Hill at the 2014 Cops & Robbers Ball in May.
Each year CLEF selects an individual or group of individuals who has shown dedication and passion towards making Morgan Hill a safer community for businesses and families, said CLEF President Sharron Daniel.
“Stuart Scott was selected as this year’s Public Safety Award honoree for his commitment in the conviction of some of Santa Clara County’s most violent criminals including cases that happen in or effect the Morgan Hill Community,” she said. “Living in Morgan Hill, it’s easy to feel like we are living in Mayberry, but the fact is, crime does happen here and we greatly value those who strive to make a difference.”
Scott has devoted his career to safeguarding the South Valley region by keeping criminals off the street and ensuring justice for the victims of those crimes, Daniel said.
During his time with the District Attorney’s office, he has worked closely with advocacy groups to help victims get through the court process. He has spent his career years prosecuting crimes including homicides, gang crimes, sexual assaults of children and adults, and auto thefts.
“I am humbled to have been selected for the 2014 Public Safety Award,” Scott said in a press release. “What a great honor. It is further proof that by working together as a community we can reduce violence and crime in Santa Clara County.”
Scott’s unanimous selection by the CLEF Board is well deserved, said Craig van Kuelen, a member of CLEF’s board.
“Stuart’s lifetime commitment and dedication to the safety of our community by his blue collar, methodical prosecution of the violent criminals that prey on our citizens made him the perfect choice for this year’s award,” he said. “We are lucky to have a dedicated public servant with high integrity, like Stuart Scott, serving justice in our community as this year’s recipient.”
The Public Safety Award was created by CLEF as a way to honor people who dedicate their time and resources supporting the Morgan Hill Police Department and the community by contributing to the safety of Morgan Hill, Daniel said. This is the third year the award will be presented.
Ken Hulick, a dedicated volunteer with the Community Emergency Response Team, received it in 2012. Marc Darnell, Steve Balbo and Mike Klyszeiko received it as a group in 2013 for their involvement with the Volunteers in Policing program.
“We all want to feel safe where we work, live and play and it is something we often take for granted,” Daniel said. “It is a privilege each year for us to select an individual to honor from the many who dedicate their time towards this common goal.”
The 2014 award will be presented to Scott on the evening of May 3 at the Cops & Robbers Ball which will be held at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center. The $95-a-ticket annual fundraiser started in 2012 as a way to provide financial support for CLEF programs, Daniel said. Since CLEF was founded in 2006, it has donated more than $150,000 to the MHPD for special policing items and projects not covered by the city budget.
Examples of previous funding from CLEF include license plate readers, a mounted night-vision camera, first responder medical kits for all patrol cars, support of the Volunteers in Policing, Parent Project and Explorer Post programs, and the creation of a family interview room. This spring, CLEF money will go to the purchase of a new K-9 unit dog. One of its 2014 funding goals is to enhance public safety by installing an automated external defibrillator unit in every patrol car.
“The ball provides a way for community members to help thank the men and women of the police department for their dedication and the sacrifices they make each and every day to ensure the safety of our community,” Daniel said. “It will be a pleasant time with great food provided by Mama Mia’s and, new this year, the award winning wines of Léal Vineyards, among other things.”
Visit CLEF’s website at www.morganhillclef.org for more details.
