Heros for 2004
Road Safety Award - 2004
 Mr. Randy Barnett
The issue of Road Safety continues to be among the top concerns that are raised each year by residents within the City of Brampton. As a result, Safe City has identified the need to direct an increased emphasis on its efforts to engage residents in trying to find solutions to this growing problem.
Our 2004 Road Safety Award winner served as a key volunteer member of Safe City's Road Safety Committee and was significantly involved in the planning and delivery of a series of Road Safety Consultations that were coordinated in partnership with members of Brampton's City Council.
The "Road to a Safer Brampton" initiative was able to identify more than 165 specific road safety issues, while capturing a total of 43 recommendations from Brampton residents. This initiative has provided a platform from which a formalized citywide Road Safety Committee for Brampton will be formed.
The initiative was also a successful example of Brampton's willingness to engage its residents in finding solutions to local issues. For his significant volunteer contributions to this effort, Safe City is pleased to recognize Mr. Randy Barnett with our 2004 Program Award for Road Safety.
Community Program Award - Youth Safety Television 2004
Mickey Rodriguez
 The YSTV program is an example of a unique and creative approach to youth safety. The goal was to take a group of regular teens and to tap into their interest of television, as a way of teaching them safety skills.
Fifteen youth worked in partnership with staff from Brampton Safe City and Rogers Television to receive a crash course in television production. Working in teams, these youth set out to create six (6) Public Service Announcements that would provide a safety message to their peers on topics that were affecting them most.
The YSTV team, tackled issues such as Drinking and Driving, Drug Abuse, Bullying, Internet Safety and Racism through their 30 and 60 second commercials. They also hosted regular segments on Rogers Dufferin Peel Living Program, where they talked about issues and concerns that affect youth in their day-to-day lives.
Selecting an award winner from this truly exceptional crop of youth was not an easy task. Therefore, the decision was left to the youth themselves to select the individual that they felt was most deserving of this special recognition. This year's award winner was described as "a leader" and someone who was willing to do "more than his share to help his peers succeed".
In the opinion of his friends and fellow participants, "they couldn't have done it without him". Brampton Safe City is pleased to recognize Mickey Rodriguez with this year's Community Program Award for the Youth Safety Television Program.
Youth Education and Safety Program - 2004
 Davica Persaud
Davica Persaud has been involved with the Youth Education and Safety Program since January of 2003. Among her many contributions, Davica was able to volunteer with the Peel Children's Safety Village Day Camp.
Through this program, Davica was able to assist officers with teaching pedestrian and bicycle safety skills to children. During that time, she was described by the Officer that supervised her, as an outstanding and hard working volunteer who brought a positive and energetic attitude to the Safety Village's program.
Davica has also been a key member of the STOP anti-bullying initiative. STOP is a program that uses youth mentors to deliver anti-bullying training to school aged children. In total, Davica has contributed more than 60 hours of volunteer service through the Youth Education and Safety Program.
More importantly, she has been an excellent role model for youth and an exemplary ambassador of the contributions that youth can contribute to creating a safer community.
Safe City is proud to recognize Miss Davica Persaud with our 2004 Community Program Award for the Youth Education and Safety program.
Safe City Partnership Award - 2004
 Constable Claudia D'Amico
Early in 2002, Brampton Safe City joined in partnership with 26 Brampton businesses, organizations and government representatives to create a safety coalition called the Safe City Partnership.
The goal of the Partnership was to create a plan of action for the City that would tackle the highest priority safety issues by combining the efforts of our partners.
In 2003, the Safe City Partnership was recognized for their efforts and the City of Brampton became one of only a small group of cities in Canada to receive an official designation as a Safe Community.
To recognize an individual or organization that has made an exemplary contribution to the efforts of this important initiative, Safe City pleased to recognize a group or individual with an annual community program award.
This year's award winner is an outstanding example of the dedicated and community minded officers who represent the Peel Regional Police.
Constable Claudia D'Amico, is an active contributor to both the Children and Seniors Safety initiatives that the partnership coordinate. From leading car seat safety clinics to assisting with injury prevention initiatives for seniors, Claudia is an invaluable contributor who brings energy and a high degree of competence to everything that she undertakes.
She is also an enthusiastic supporter of the Safe City Association. Claudia is actively involved as a crime prevention presenter with both our youth and neighbourhood safety programs.
For her dedicated commitment and willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty, Safe City is proud to recognize, Constable Claudia D'Amico with this year's Community program Award for the Safe City Partnership.
Neighbourhood Watch Award - 2004
 Pam Ramnauth
The Neighbourhood Watch Program is all about people looking out for one another. It's not a novel or particularly complicated idea, in many ways it's just common sense that if you work together as a community, then you're stronger than if you go it alone.
This year's Neighbourhood Watch Award winner has been a long-time volunteer with the program and a key member of its executive committee.
Pam Ramnauth is a passionate and energetic advocate for the Neighbourhood Watch Program. She's dedicated herself to leading others through example and she has devoted significant time and energy to assisting with whatever activities need to be done.
Pam has done everything from dropping flyers door to door, to leading safety workshops and selling light sticks. She has dedicated herself to improving her crime prevention skills and is both a graduate of the Crime Prevention Academy and most recently became an Auxiliary Police Officer with the Peel Regional Police.
Pam Ramnauth and her "roll-up your sleeves" approach to community safety is a perfect example of the type of volunteer that makes a program like Neighbourhood Watch work.
For her dedication, hard work and commitment to supporting neighbourhood safety, Safe City is pleased to recognize, Ms. Pam Ramnauth with our 2004 Community Program Award for Neighbourhood Watch.
Gael Miles Award for Youth Safety - 2004
 Sherena Hussain
As a volunteer with the Youth Education and Safety Program (YES), Sherena Hussain has served as a role model for the potential of youth to make a difference in the safety of our community.
Sherena's accomplishments while with the program have demonstrated her unique maturity and commitment to others. During her involvement with YES, Sherena was integral to the creation of a cell phone safety campaign (which encouraged drivers not to operating their vehicles while using their cell phones), she assisted with a number of fundraising initiatives, and was a key member of the "STOP' program, a youth delivered anti-bullying initiative for school aged children.
Sherena has also volunteered as a peer tutor with her high school and as a helper to a disabled and isolated senior living in her neighbourhood.
As someone who experienced the damage of bullying first hand, Sherena is particularly passionate about supporting strategies that identify and address bullying among children and youth. Sherena believes that the key to making Brampton a safer and more vibrant community for youth is to encourage children, at a young age, to look beyond each other's differences, while teaching them to accept and embrace them.
She feels that "we miss so much when we don't take the time to get to really know each other". We couldn't agree with her more and it's why we're proud to recognize Sherena with this year's Gael Miles Award for Youth Safety. With young people like Sherena leading the way, our future in Brampton certainly looks brighter... and safer!
The Dave Boudreau Volunteer Award - 2004
 Michael Goldrup
What is it that inspires some people to dedicate their time back to the communities where they live? Is it an altruistic gene that's passed down through one's lineage or simply that some people feel the need to leave this world a better place than the way they found it? While we may not find the answer to this question, we can't help but be amazed by these inspiring individuals who have provided the heart and soul of the Brampton Safe City Association.
To recognize these amazing individuals we created the Dave Boudreau Memorial Volunteer Award. The award annually recognizes the very best volunteer among a truly brilliant group of individuals. This year we are proud to recognize Mr. Michael Goldrup.
A born communicator, Mike has left an impressive legacy with the Safe City Association through his outstanding leadership, creativity and sense of vision.
For more than 10 years, Mike contributed literally hundreds of hours to leading the Safe City Association as both a Board member and contributor to the Safe City Campaign. Although he was originally recruited to provide his expertise in improving the Associations overall communication, his passion and dedication saw him take on increasing roles with the Board of Directors.
Mike agreed to join the Association as a volunteer while still a reporter with the Brampton Guardian. He was intrigued by the chance to work with a team of people in growing what he saw as an important organization with tremendous potential to improve the quality of life in Brampton.
He also believed in the vision of creating neighbourhoods where people look out for each other and actively support one another. As the son of parents who were active volunteers within their own community, Mike learned early on that you build a community through the contribution of its people.
Mike's imprints on the Safe City Association can be found throughout the organization. From inspiring the creation of the Safe City Web site and helping to develop the organizations new brand, to encouraging the expansion of the Associations partnerships and pursuit of a Safe Community Designation. Mike's influence and leadership have played a key role throughout his involvement as a volunteer.
When you ask him about his involvement, he maintains a sense of modesty and is clear to point out that he's received much more from his experience than he feels he gave. Mike credits his involvement with helping him to grow and to develop incredible relationships that have enriched his life.
It is that modest, understated leadership that has made Mike such an important figure in the growth and development of Safe City as a community organization. And it is why he is the perfect choice for this year's Dave Boudreau Volunteer Award.
As a public servant, community volunteer and passionate safety advocate, Brampton Safe City is proud to recognize Mr. Michael Goldrup for his outstanding leadership in helping to make Brampton a kinder and safer place to live.
The Business Partner Award - 2004
 Four Valleys Excavating and Grading
The Business Partner Award recognizes outstanding employers who have enriched the safety of the Brampton community. These businesses represent the very best companies in our city and their contributions provide the foundation that enables Safe City to meet its safety goals each year.
For 2004, we are proud to recognize a company that has had a 15-year legacy of supporting the Brampton community - Mr. Nick Cortellucci and Four Valleys Excavating and Grading. Four Valleys has built its reputation by providing a high degree of service and dedication to the projects that they undertake. They continue that commitment to excellence by investing in the communities that they've helped to build.
Ironically, Four Valleys is known for their work in moving soil, so that builders can lay the concrete, which provides the Foundation for a new home to be built on. It's ironic because their impressive support of numerous charities and community safety causes provides the foundation for those communities to become safer and happier places to live.
It is estimated that Four Valleys has donated more than $150,000 to Brampton charities over the past 15 years. This generosity has benefited causes ranging from the Brampton Memorial Hospital and March of Dimes, to the Peel Children's Aid Society and Brampton Sports Hall of Fame. During that time, Four Valleys has also been a leading supporter of the Brampton Safe City Association.
Four Valleys has directly supported the development of community safety programs and initiatives ranging from the Safe City Campaign and Safe City Partnership to the Business Crime Prevention Program and youth safety initiatives.
If you're wondering what it is that set's Four Valley's apart as such a leading contributor to community safety, you need look no further than Nick Cortellucci. Nick strongly believes that it's important to give back to the communities in which he works. He is a passionate supporter of the idea that people should take pride in their communities and he believes that safety is among the most important priorities in a community.
Nick is particularly passionate about ensuring the safety of children and feels that all kids should feel safe living and playing in their neighbourhoods.
Nick Cortellucci and Four Valleys Excavating and Grading serve as an important role model for businesses everywhere. They believe that their business is not just to build homes; it's to build communities. Nick Cortellucci takes pride in the neighbourhoods that he builds. His companies build beautiful streetscapes and scenery to make people feel good about where they live. However, he has also invested significant resources into building actual communities. That's because he feels that when you're proud of where you live, you'll work hard to keep it great... and that's really what a safe community is all about.
For their significant efforts in building a safer Brampton, Safe City is proud to recognize Mr. Nick Cortellucci and Four Valleys Excavating and Grading with its 2004 Business Partner Award for Community Safety.
The Community Partner Award - 2004
 Peel Regional Police
It's not a coincidence that the Region of Peel maintains one of the lowest crime rates in the country. When you're blessed with Canada's finest police service it just comes with the territory.
As Ontario's second largest municipal police service, peel police has built a reputation as the unquestionable leader in community policing and crime prevention.
In recognition of their outstanding success in building community partnerships and their admirable accomplishments with supporting community involvement in safety, Brampton Safe City is proud to recognize the men and women of Peel Regional Police with it's 2004 Community Partner Award.
The Peel Police mission statement truly reflects its progressive and visionary approach to policing. Peel Police, in partnership with the community, is committed to creating a safe environment to live, work and visit. In itself that statement is impressive, but what makes it truly remarkable is that they are delivering on their promise.
Since 1994, Peel Police has actively surveyed the community to establish service priorities such as a dedicated traffic services division and street crime unit. The community has come to respect and appreciate its police service as a result of these efforts.
Peel Police has been visionary in its investment in crime prevention and it's encouragement of creative approaches that prevent crime before it happens. It has staunchly supported the efforts of two municipal crime prevention associations and it is an active partner in nearly every crime prevention initiative.
Peel Police have established partnerships with the local school boards through the development of their Youth Education Units and they have assigned youth education officers to literally every school within their service region.
Unique strategies such as Problem Oriented Policing programs and the street crime unit rely on extensive partnerships with community residents to explore innovative strategies to complicated neighbourhood issues.
The support of a dedicated crime prevention unit has enabled Peel Police to promote initiatives such as crime prevention through environmental design, the crime prevention academy and target hardening. These innovations set Peel Police apart from its peers and reinforce its reputation for being creative and visionary in its approaches to safety.
Leadership begins at the top, and Chief Noel Catney has helped to champion Peel Police as a leader in community policing. Chief Catney is a strong believer in the principles of Sir Robert Peel (Peel's Founding father) who felt that "the police and community are one".
His leadership has helped to ensure that Peel Police have made this statement a reality and not just an ideal. For their undeniable leadership, courage and vision in building a true partnership with the community, Brampton Safe City is honoured to recognize Peel Regional Police and we're thankful for their immense contribution to our community.
The Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Safety - 2004
 Brampton Regional Councillor Gael Miles
Throughout history, there have been individuals who are so important to a cause that in many people's minds they become synonymous with it. One such example of this is our 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Gael Miles.
For more than 22 years Gael has been a tireless supporter of the Safe City Association and an unparalleled advocate of community safety.
As the first Executive Director of the Association, Gael was integral in growing the Neighbourhood Watch concept in Brampton and literally built it neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Gael is convinced that the collective efforts of "we" will always outperform the efforts of "me".
To her, it just made sense that you can accomplish more through partnership and when you take ownership for your neighbourhood you can ensure that it becomes the kind of place where you want to raise a family and build your life.
Gael's accomplishments with Safe City through her two decades of involvement are almost too many to list. Her leadership and commitment have contributed to the birth of numerous programs and activities that have made our neighbourhoods safer.
Her annual golf tournament has contributed nearly $400,000 in support of local safety programs in Brampton. She has "Shepparded" the organization through its many evolutions, while instilling a spirit of renewal that recognized our need to evolve.
You may ask yourself, what drives someone to dedicate nearly half of their life as a volunteer for safety? The answer lies, somewhere within her passionate belief that nothing else matters, if you and your loved one's can't be safe.
Gael believes in the potential of ordinary people like you and I. She sees the power of community teamwork through her involvement with Safe City and renews her passion with every success. It is the inspiration of success and the continual challenges that drive her to stay involved. When you are motivated through passion for something so personally important there are always new challenges.
Gael hopes that youth safety will continue to be a priority. She also recognizes the need to find solutions to ensure that our roads become safer. Most importantly, as the diversity of our community continues to grow, she feels that we need to encourage our neighbourhoods to work together and embrace each other's differences.
We can only hope that others will share her unique passion and be inspired by the efforts of a truly exceptional individual. In many ways, Gael Miles has been the face and the spirit of the Brampton Safe City Association and we are proud to recognize her brilliant contributions with our 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award for Safety.
Community Safety Hero of the Year - 2004
Presented in Partnership with the Brampton Guardian
 Mr. Leo O'Brien
The Safe City Association and the Brampton Guardian created the Community Safety Hero of the Year Award in 2003.
The award was designed to recognize the often-ordinary individuals who through their seemingly simple acts of kindness make an extraordinary contribution to improving our quality of life.
This year we are proud to recognize a man who over the past twenty years, has contributed literally thousands of hours as a community safety advocate, a volunteer coach and a helper of those in need - Mr. Leo O'Brien. To say that Leo O'Brien is a selfless and dedicated community volunteer would be an understatement.
To tell Leo's story, we need to go back to the 80's and his hometown of Montreal, Quebec. Leo's impressive list of accomplishments included his work as an innovative hockey coach who combined music, games and puppetry to make sports more fun and accessible to kids - still developing their skills.
Leo also ran a local skate bank for under privileged children and was a devoted volunteer with the Special Olympics. Leo also found himself thrust into the limelight as a community safety advocate after witnessing a child being hit by a car.
In rallying his neighbourhood, Leo led a group in creating a successful petition to City council that saw road safety improvements made to his street. Perhaps it was at that point that Leo found his sense of purpose and a reason to continue giving back to his community.
After moving to Brampton in the early 90's, Leo and his young family, found himself once again immersed in community volunteering. Leo and his family loved to use the City's pathways and parks. However, he was alarmed by the abundance of broken glass and the potential risk it posed to both dogs and small children.
Leo was determined to find a solution to the problem. His answer was the creation of Walkers Against Glass. Leo's goal was an ambitious one - to encourage residents to adopt the more than 140 kilometres of pathways, 370 parks and 200 playgrounds - to keep them clean and glass free for children, walkers and pets.
To date, more than 30 walkways have been adopted and are regularly maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers. Never being one to rest on his laurels, Leo has also been active in working with his neighbours to address road safety issues in his neighbourhood.
In addition to his safety advocacy Leo and his unicycle continue to dedicate time to the Brampton Animal shelter by encouraging people to provide loving homes to homeless dogs.
Leo feels that if we can all work together around the issues that touch us personally, then we will create a safer community to live in. We not sure how Leo can harness so much time and energy to do so much for others but we're thankful for his commitment and how it inspires us all.
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