Organizers said they raised more than $45K to help MHPD
Published in the May 14-27 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Photo by Jeff Brandon
Officer Santiago Fierro and his patrol canine officer Sony.
More than 200 guests enjoyed a night of fun and surprises May 3 at the third annual Cops & Robbers Ball, a Community Law Enforcement Foundation event that raises funds for programs and equipment for the Morgan Hill Police Department.
“This year’s ball was indeed the best so far,” said Sharron Daniel, president of CLEF. “When you can combine a unique social event with one of the best causes in town, it is hard to go wrong. When I looked up at one point during the event and saw a sea of guests on the dance floor, I knew we’d done it.”
CLEF is still calculating its final expenses and still receiving sponsorship money, but Daniel expects to raise about $45,000. Most of the money will go to provide each MHPD patrol car with an automated electronic defibrillator, she said. Money will also go to fund the new K-9 unit team of officer Santiago Fierro and his canine partner Sony, who was a surprise guest at the event. The dog and Fierro recently completed a one month school for the K-9 program.
“To commit to a K-9 officer is truly to commit to a lifestyle,” Police Chief David Swing told guests as he introduced the dog. “I’m sure Officer Fierro’s wife would agree to that statement, because the dog lives with the family and becomes truly a part of the family…. We are grateful, truly grateful, to CLEF and the community for the ability to restart our K-9 program and add Sony to our department.”
K-9 unit Officer Sony
In less than two weeks on the job, Sony helped apprehend two suspects involved in committing “serious assault” at a local establishments in Morgan Hill, Swing said.
Chief Swing told guests that 42 percent of the cases that MHPD takes every year end with an arrest, an offender held accountable, or the victim receiving justice for the crime. For the past two years, this statistic has been the highest number in Santa Clara County, he said, adding CLEF’s funding has helped in achieving this safety record.
“CLEF provides the essential tools and equipment that are not part of our general operating budget that helps us do our job more effectively,” he said.
At the Cops & Robbers Ball, Deputy District Attorney Stuart Scott received CLEF’s Public Safety Award for his 21 years in the DA office prosecuting gang offenders, child predators, and sexual assault suspects.
Describing police work as “the hardest job in the world,” Scott said he was proud to work with many of the detectives and officers who were present in the Community Center ballroom, adding, “My 9-year-old daughter asked me, ‘Dad, are you a hero?’ And, you know, I just have to say, ‘No, no, but I work with them every day.’ And a lot of them are members of the Morgan Hill Police Department.”
