Lakewood Police Department Receives Award
Attorney General Matthew Platkin recently presented the Lakewood Police Department with the “Outstanding Community Partnership” award in recognition of the Lakewood Police Department’s exceptional efforts on behalf of the Lakewood Community Coalition. The Attorney General’s Excellence in Policing Awards are held to commemorate National Police Week.
The Lakewood Community Coalition is made up of members of the Lakewood Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Lakewood Faith Leaders, community organizations, and community leaders. Its mission revolves around building bridges and fostering trust between law enforcement and faith leaders, community organizations, and community leaders. Through enhanced communication and collaboration, the Lakewood Community Coalition aims to understand better and address issues within religious communities and the surrounding neighborhoods. This proactive approach strengthens relationships and facilitates problem-solving and community well-being by working together to solve issues and help people in need.
The commendation specifically acknowledges the contributions of several Lakewood Police Department members, including Chief Gregory H. Meyer, Captain Steve Allaire, D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich, Sgt. Kenneth Burdge, Sgt. Peter LaRosa, Sgt. Stephanie Mahone, Ptl. Jason Yahr, Ptl. Kevin Bell, Ptl. Jeffrey Emmons, and Ptl. Joseph Soriano, SRO Michael Delvalle, and SRO Daniel Merrill. Also recognized were Cori Scotti from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish of Lakewood; Shrage Pinter, the Dean of a Jewish religious school; and Coalition faith leaders, community leaders, and organizations.
Lakewood Community Coalition Co-Chairmen Capt. Steve Allaire and Cori Scotti thank the entire coalition for all their hard work and commitment to making this initiative a success. They said, “We extend our sincere gratitude to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and his team for their invaluable support. We also appreciate the generous contribution of The Strand Theater, providing us with their stunning and historically significant venue for our events. Additionally, we would like to express our sincere thanks to Andrei Jackamets Photography for capturing the memorable moments during our Lakewood Community Coalition meetings.”
Photo #1: Ptl. Jeffrey Emmons; Ptl. Jason Yahr; Sgt. Kenneth Burdge; Co-Chairman Captain Steve Allaire; Co-Chairman Cori Scotti, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish of Lakewood; D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich; Ptl. Kevin Bell; Ptl. Joseph Soriano
Photo #2 (Coalition, May 9,2024) Collaborative photo – OCPO, & Lakewood Community Coalition with Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin who is in the middle, NJ State Chief L.E.; left of the AG is Captain Steve Allaire, Co-Chairman; right of the AG is the Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer; left side of Capt. Allaire is the Lakewood Community Coalition; right side of the Prosecutor is the OCPO staff members
Photo #3: left to right/ front Row – Ptl. Jeffrey Emmons; SRO (School Resource Officer) Michael Delvalle; Co-Chairman Captain Steve Allaire; Co-Chairman Cori Scotti, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish of Lakewood; D/Sgt. Jeannette Shimonovich; Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin , NJ State Chief Law Enforcement; Sgt. Stephanie Mahone; Ptl. Jason Yahr; Ptl. Kevin Bell; Shrage Pinter, Dean of a Jewish religious school. Second Row – SRO Daniel Merrill; Sgt. Kenneth Burdge; and Sgt. Peter LaRosa
Photo #4: Attorney General (AG) Matthew Platkin NJ State Chief Law Enforcement Officer