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On April 10, 2008, Youth in Action recognized the hard work and dedication
of APD – Party Patrol Unit. |
| Officers recognized: Lieutenant Harold Medina Detective Herman Sanchez Detective Mark Krueger Detective Monica Werley Officer Gene Marquez Officer Cecily Sidel Officer Ruben Abeyta Officer Eric Peer PSA Scott Pope PSA Robert Perea |
| Guests of Honor:
President Joe Shirley Jr - Navajo Nation ~ Tiny Miss Albuquerque - Candance Johnston Miss Albuquerque - Cristina Olmi ~ Eloisa Gonzales - Federal Grants Program Manager. Youth Recognized: Youth in Action team members were also recognized for exceptional dedication and service to prevent underage drinking. Travis Collins ~ Jasmine Arabia ~ Jordan Green ~ Patricia Martin ~ Zachary Dixon Caroline Lombard ~ Myra Acevedo ~ Alex Almaraz ~ Jessica Prieto Special Recognition: The Albuquerque Partnership - Adrian Pedroza The Albuquerque Partnership Youth Coalition partnered with Youth in Action core projects when Youth in Action team members were not available for scheduled events. We are so thankful for this partnership and appreciate their amazing efforts into preventing underage drinking. Elena Perez who joined Youth in Action in 2007 and shyly asked for advice on to reach out on underage drinking issues in her community. Elena, under the YIA Coordinator's mentorship have spoken at several Charter Middle Schools and High Schools in the South Valley, about underage drinking issues. Anita Alvarado who did a fantastic job coordinating and kicking off the red ribbon campaign at one of the deadliest DWI Intersection in Albuquerque. Special Congratulations toYouth in Action Team Members: Travis Collins and Alex Almaraz joined the Albuquerque Police Department Law Enforcement Recognition Event Opening Speech Master of Ceremonies: Youth in Action team member - Elena Perez Good Evening, my name is Elena Perez and tonight our Youth in Action team will be holding a very important event which explains the presence of our finest law enforcement individuals who are being recognized for their partnership with MADD's mission to prevent underage drinking. MADD supports the 21 drinking age law because we know it saves lives and protects young minds. While teen drunk driving is a huge problem, it's not okay just to tell our teens to not drink and drive. The message is to tell teens not to drink at all until they are 21. In New Mexico the average age for a young person to start drinking is 12 years old, so we have to start talking to our children earlier and continuously. Research shows that the brain does not finish developing until a person is in their early twenties and underage drinking can cause irreversible brain damage to the growing adolescent brain. Reducing underage drinking is the collective responsibility of any community: parents, teachers, public health and safety agencies, retail alcohol establishments and law enforcement. Our Youth in Action team work close with law enforcement, including Special Investigations Division, Albuquerque Police Department, the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and have conducted several Nights of Compliance checks and shoulder taps in the four quadrants of Albuquerque. The compliance checks targeted alcohol retailers, such as liquor stores, convenience stores, grocery stores, and restaurants. The shoulder taps determine the social availability of alcohol to minors and determine if an adult stranger is willing to purchase alcohol for a minor. We know that alcohol retail establishment compliance checks are one of the most effective tools available today. They send a clear message to the community that providing alcohol to anyone under 21 is simply illegal, inexcusable and unacceptable. We thank all of the retailers who complied with the law. But clearly, our city, our community can and must do better. We are striving for 100 percent compliance, because 100 percent compliance means young lives saved and injuries prevented. Together, we can achieve it and protect New Mexico's youth. Tonight we want to recognize our law enforcement in their efforts and dedication to fight underage drinking and drunk driving offences and thank them for partnering with MADD's Youth in Action. We are proud to be an important part of the solution to help prevent underage drinking and prepared this power point presentation to show our deep appreciation for all the hard work these officers do every day to protect New Mexico State communities. |
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