NYPD officers and community leaders were honored for their community service in the Bronx at the 45th District Community Council breakfast on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
Photo courtesy of Annie Boller
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The 45th Neighborhood Community Council held its annual breakfast on Thursday, May 23 at SUNY Maritime College to celebrate Bronx community leaders and NYPD officers who work in the neighborhood.
Distinguished members and speakers at the ceremony included 45th Precinct Deputy Inspector Johnny A. Orellana, New York City Sheriff’s Chief Anthony Miranda, Bronx Borough Patrol Commander and Deputy Chief Benjamin Gurley, 45th Ward Community Council President Robert Bieder, Bronx Borough President. Vanessa Gibson, Pastor Deborah Jenkins of Faith at Work Christian Church and Kristy Marmorato, District 13 council member.
Bieder opened the annual ceremony by thanking attendees for coming together to celebrate police officers and community leaders.
“It’s one of my greatest feelings in life to have this breakfast, to organize this. We here at the 45th Ward have such an incredible and wonderful group of members here,” Bieder said. “Our police, of course, we all support them, but what excites me the most is the fact that in this community we are probably the most diverse there is, we are represented by five of the seven continents. »
Bieder highlighted both the diversity of the Bronx community and the individuals chosen for the awards and honors.
“New York is a melting pot and we are certainly a great example of that. To me, the diversity here shows that we can all get along,” Bieder said. “It’s just a wonderful and heartwarming feeling to see you all gathered and breaking bread with us today.”
Gibson also praised the Bronx’s diverse community and thanked the crowd for investing in the borough, including public safety, economic development, education and employment opportunities within the 45th District. . She thanked the leaders and officers at the breakfast for their work as role models for the community.
“That’s the purpose of this fraternal breakfast. It’s about recognizing those who go above and beyond, those who do the work without distinction and recognition, sometimes often unrecognized,” Gibson said. “But we see all of you, we see the work that you do every day because you believe in this borough.”
Gibson said the work 45th Ward leaders do every day “provides footprints” for the next generation and other community members to follow.
“When one of us wins, we can all win, no matter what.” Working with the men and women of the NYPD, working with all of our business leaders, community board members, precinct board members, clergy council members, we are truly better together.” , Gibson said. “I look forward to even more opportunities and truly enjoying what we represent today.”
Several community members were honored for their leadership in the Bronx community. Honorees included Bobby Jean, executive director of the Throggs Neck Business Improvement District; George Havranek, president of the Spencer Estate Civic Association; Antonio Codrington, commander of the American Legion Post 1871; and Greg Clancy, City Island Troop 211 Eagle Scout.
Orellana and Rivera presented police awards to Officers Dennison Durgadeen, Justine Zerbo, Amar Alfalahi, Robert Rodriguez, Bianca Zara and Edward McClain for their service which went “above and beyond expectations.”
Pastor Nikil Adwalpalker of Throggs Neck Community Church closed the event with a prayer.
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