VIDEO: Concord Police Get Awards

The Greater Concord Safe Community Coalition held an appreciation breakfast for Concord Police officers on Sept. 18 to honor the work that they had performed during the last year, to ensure the safety of children while going to and coming from school.

A number of dignitaries, including elected and appointed city and school officials, as well as PTO/PTA volunteers and officers, enjoyed a light breakfast and chatted about the program that has been coordinating the safety effort for more than a decade.

 “This is a very special event for us where they actually trust us enough to let us into the back of the station to set up shop,” said Deborah Samaha.

Samaha gave the certificates to Officer Dan Reilly and Officer Kevin Partington for all their work over the years on the issue.

Police Chief John Duval said the department liked to have the event in the fall to “reconfirm our commitment to the community to highlight safety in the schools.” He said it was a top priority to be visible at the beginning of the year to make sure that officers were in the school zone, assisting when needed.

Marilyn Fraser also read a short poem in honor of Duval.

School Superintendent Chris Rath thanked the department for its help and said everyone was “very fortunate in Concord to live in a community that does value our children, values our families, appreciates the work in our schools, and with our families. Thank you very much for your service.”