Nearly Seven Hundred Attend the Popular Showcase for 
All-Things-Police

The Police Foundation held its 11th Annual "Friends of the Badge" event (formerly Beyond the Headlines) on September 21 at the Valley View Casino Center to raise money and fund vital equipment for SDPD. The event raised a net total of nearly $125,000, with 528 guests, 101 SDPD officers, and 50 volunteers attending.

This year's luncheon was a tremendous success thanks to the leadership and vision of Foundation Board Members and Co-chairs, Ernie Hahn and Chris Ghio. The event showcased the latest in technology and equipment for the department, and also highlighted the need for critical equipment, as well as training programs that are vital to the officers working 24/7 in our community.

The San Diego Police Foundation raises funds, administers grants, promotes awareness of the public safety cause, and provides the SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® program to keep children safe in cyberspace. The Foundation exists to create a safer San Diego, online and on the street.

Funding priorities for the SDPD include the following:

• Digital Cameras and Voice Recorders
• Crime Scene Diagramming Software and Crime Lab Cameras
• Bicycles and Reflective Safety Vests

"Our purpose at the San Diego Police Foundation is to support the San Diego Police Department by supplying unmet needs for equipment, training and educational programs," said Sara Napoli, president & CEO for SDPF. "By doing this, we know that we are making San Diego safer. We welcome every citizen's help in this important effort."

Guests experienced unforgettable demonstrations by the K-9 and SWAT Units and CBS 8's Marcella Lee emceed a powerful program honoring fallen officers.  2011 Foundation milestones, followed by a LIVE auction and impactful video rounded out the program.  San Diego leaders Dan Shea, Ron Fowler, Craig Fuller and Erik Jenkins, and Art Barter pledged major gifts to launch the Foundation's Police Council program.  The Police Council welcomes supporters who give $5,000 or more in flexible funds to the Foundation. SDPF will host a special luncheon on December 16 for those who wish to join the Police Council, sponsored by Donovan's Prime Seafood.  

"We must never take for granted the safety we enjoy, nor the men and women of the SDPD who protect and serve our community 24/7 year-round," added Napoli.

The "Friends of the Badge" Luncheon is SDPF's largest event of the year and is made possible thanks to the generosity of this year's sponsors:

Thank you to our many table captains and sponsors, and to the dedicated event committee, volunteers and officers who worked tirelessly on this year's event.

SafetyNet: Keeping Our Children Safe on the Internet 

SafetyNet® began in 2007 as a crime prevention program with grants from AT&T and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program. The years following, we were fortunate to receive two very generous grants of $50,000 each from the Verizon Foundation, as well as sponsorship and in-kind support of The Irving Group, ESET and Wal-Mart.

What held true in 2007 is still true today. Middle school youth -- and often their parents/caregivers -- are not aware of the risks associated with unsupervised Internet usage. The San Diego Police Foundation in partnership with the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, is educating middle school youth, teachers and parents throughout the San Diego region to keep San Diegans safe in online environments.

During the 2010/2011 school year, SDPF was able to reach more than 20,000 students, 500 teachers and 800 parents. This school year, our goal is to reach an even greater number of adults and kids through their area school districts. If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please call us at (858) 453-5060.  

We knew early on that not every parent or interested adult would be able to attend an evening workshop, so to meet demand, the Police Foundation in partnership with AT&T and ESET, created the SafetyNet® eLearning Guide. You can learn how to keep your kids safe in cyberspace online in your own time and at your own pace by visiting www.SmartCyberChoices.org. While you are there, don't forget to enter to win an iTunes gift card!

Spend the Morning Training as an Officer on
November 5, 2011 at Inside SDPD

Looking for a creative and highly-interactive way to spend a Saturday morning? Companies, community organizations, families and individuals can get a rare opportunity to experience what an officer in training needs to learn as part of the Inside SDPD program.  The four-hour program is offered at the Police Training Facility on the Miramar College Campus, and gives a hands-on look at the work of the dedicated officers of the San Diego Police Department.

Sponsored by SDG&E and organized by the San Diego Police Foundation, Inside SDPD is a unique behind-the-scenes experience that gives community members the chance to walk in the shoes of a police officer. San Diegans will participate in use-of-force training, which includes driving simulation, SWAT entry, vehicle stop, and firearms training activities. They will also meet K-9 Unit officers and their canine partners, all while experiencing first-hand what it's like to be a cop.

The next Inside SDPD program is offered on Saturday, November 5, 2011, 8:30 am to noon. Click here to reserve your spot, or call (858) 453-5060 for this one-of-a kind experience!

Generously sponsored by

Police Take 44 Pounds of Chocolate into Custody

Talk about sweet-talking the cops! Valley View Casino & Hotel Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Sampson now has some new friends in blue. The talented chocolatier recently crafted an exact replica of a San Diego Police badge made entirely out of 44 pounds of pure chocolate. The amazing sugary sculpture was presented to San Diego Chief of Police William Lansdowne at the San Diego Police Foundation's 11th Annual "Friends of the Badge" Luncheon.

With the encouragement of Valley View Casino & Hotel, a major sponsor of the event, Chef Daniel and his team spent a total of five days creating the solid 26-inch by 17-inch chocolate masterpiece. Chef Daniel used over 44 pounds of white couverture chocolate to create the badge and its accompanying stand. Then Chef Sammy Chatluang spent two days hand-carving the badge's exquisite details.  The chocolate was then airbrushed with aureolin yellow cocoa butter and dusted with real gold. The team used 27.5 pounds of isomalt sugar to create two accompanying logos of the San Diego Police Foundation and the Valley View Casino Center. 

"Creating homemade desserts and pastries for our thousands of casino guests to enjoy is my greatest passion, but I am especially honored to have the chance to support the San Diego Police Foundation through one of my creations," said Chef Daniel. "Plus it gave me the opportunity to really take advantage of having our very own chocolate room on property at the casino!"

The showpiece was presented during the Chief's Circle Reception to Chief Lansdowne and other members of the San Diego Police Department by Joe Navarro, president/CEO of the San Pasqual Casino Development Group, Inc., Valley View Casino & Hotel's development arm, and Board Member of the San Diego Police Foundation.  

"As a retired police Sergeant with 24 years of service to the San Diego Police Department, the "Friends of the Badge" event is always very special to me," said Joe Navarro. "It is our privilege to honor and thank the members of the San Diego police force. Daniel is the finest pastry chef in the country and we were glad to show off his amazing talent!"

2011 Milestones: Steps Toward a Safer San Diego

An efficient, effective Police Department is vital to the safety of each and every citizen. It is crucial that the dedicated men and women who "Protect and Serve" have the right tools.

Eighty-four percent of the total SDPD budget is used directly for personnel, leaving only 16% for critical communication, safety and evidence collection tools and software, not to mention crime prevention programs and community outreach efforts.

During 10 years of grant making, the Foundation has reached many milestones and awarded nearly $4 million to the San Diego Police Department.

Here is a selection of accomplishments for 2011:

• SDPD Operations - Evidence Management System   
• Patrol Units - Digital and Video Cameras 
• Child Abuse/Domestic Violence/Robbery Units - Composite Sketch Software 
• Air Support Unit - Chopper Spotter
• San Diego Unified School District - Gate Lockboxes        
• SDPD and Regional K-9 Units - Canines, Equipment, Training Structure
• Central Division - Bicycles and ATVs        
• Auto Theft and Robbery Units - Investigations Efficiency Equipment
• Patrol/Operational Support - Smart-Phones and Service        
• Western Division - Remodel      
• Western and Central Divisions - Interview Rooms        
• Special Events Unit - Remodel        

With the holiday season just around the corner, please keep our dedicated officers in mind when considering your charitable year-end contributions. To find out more about our programs and how to support SDPD priorities, visit www.sdpolicefoundation.org, or call (858) 453-5060. 

Together, with your support, we can do so much more!

OUR MISSION: A SAFER SAN DIEGO ONLINE AND ON THE STREETS

Check out the San Diego Police Foundation's
Corporate Champions 

The San Diego Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit organization.
Our federal tax ID number is: 33-0785173.

8910 University Center Lane, Suite 455
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 453-5060
http://www.sdpolicefoundation.org
e-mail:info@sdpolicefoundation.org