York Regional Police's annual appreciation night celebrates officers, civilians

YorkRegion.com
May 15, 2015
Nick Iwanyshyn

Thirteen kilograms of cocaine is nothing to sniff at.

That’s the amount of white powder — with an estimated worth of $745,000 — that was confiscated March 26 when York Regional Police, along with a number of partner agencies, conducted 16 pre-dawn raids around the GTA.

That’s not all police took off the streets that morning — there were also 12 guns, 8.5 pounds of opium and almost $90,000 in cash.

This investigation and a whole slew of other police work was recognized at the 23rd annual Police Appreciation Night in Vaughan Tuesday.

The event also feted the criminal investigation bureau that busted a break-and-enter ring in June 2014 after some sleuthing discovered the same group of four men had allegedly been conducting dozens of robberies in York Region, specifically Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill.

The investigation came to a crescendo after the suspect’s car was boxed in by investigators on Woodbine Avenue and Major Mackenzie. In all, more than $68,000 worth of stolen property was recovered

Also celebrated was Staff Sgt. Julie Provis, who raised $30,000 for charity after being taken under the wing of Det. Const. Rob Plunkett, who died in the line of duty.

She was given the Rob Plunkett Outstanding Service to the Community Award for her support of Special Olympics.

Carrie Rutledge, who is with the Special Investigations and Support Unit, was given the Civilian Recognition Award for her help with a number of charity events.

Serena Saltarelli, from St. Cecilia Catholic Elementary School in Vaughan, was the Chief-for-a-Day after her winning essay on the importance of 911, and Alicia Lauzon was given the Herbert H. Carnegie Award for work helping new immigrants to Canada.

Chief Eric Jolliffe spoke especially highly of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Community Safety Village, which has hosted more than 400,000 children since opening.