Chula Vista Police Foundation Celebrates 20 Years

The Chula Vista Police Foundation is celebrating 20 years of service to the community and its Police Department, and cordially invites all to join in the celebration at the 10th annual Evening With Heroes fundraising event on September 23rd. This year’s theme is “California Dreaming,” and guests will enjoy a fabulous meal, participate in interactive booths, partake in photo opportunities with the Chief of Police and her officers, and have the opportunity to bid on over 200 silent and live auction items.

Since its inception in 2003, the mission of the Foundation has been to provide financial support to the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) for specialized safety equipment, contemporary training, and community programs that are not otherwise funded by the city’s budget.

Examples of specialized equipment include ballistic vests for detectives and police canines, protective hearing equipment for firearms training, tactical tourniquets for all field personnel, body worn cameras, and mobile forensic equipment plus digital data software to enhance investigations. All of these wares were funded by the Foundation and would not be available to officers without the generous support of donors.

In addition to equipment, the Foundation is committed to providing funding for programs that enhance safety in the community, strengthen relationships between citizens and law enforcement through community outreach, and utilize innovative technology to keep officers and the public safe.

Thanks to a generous donor, the Foundation was able to institute a wellness program at CVPD to provide officers and staff the resources and ongoing skills necessary to handle the day-to-day strains of police work. It is essential for officers to pay attention to their physical, mental, and emotional health to effectively conduct their daily duties. CVPD officers and staff now have access to a wellness app on their phones (which provides a wide range of wellness tools and services), pre-packaged healthy meals available 24/7 in a smart fridge, and a wellness breakroom that is designed with comfortable furniture and surroundings to help staff decompress after a stressful incident.

One groundbreaking program supported by the Foundation is the Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. This internationally recognized program provides responding officers with the ability to see what is going on at an incident before they physically arrive on scene. The small, remotely operated drone feeds live-streaming video to the commanders and first responders, so officers are well informed with critical information prior to arriving at an incident, keeping both officers and the people that they contact safer. Earlier this year, the DFR program reached a significant milestone, surpassing 14,000 missions. CVPD Chief Roxana Kennedy has called the DFR program one of her most important tools in improving situational awareness, de-escalating dangerous situations, and protecting her officers and community. The Foundation was instrumental in providing the initial funding to launch this program and continues to provide funds for new and existing equipment.

Another facet of the Foundation’s support is with the CVPD K9 Unit. CVPD canines Bob, Titan, Mattis, Cooper, Kelso, Jasen and Mando provide invaluable support for their human partners. These highly trained dogs help reduce safety risks and the use of force needed to apprehend an offender. Police dogs help keep people safe in some of the most extreme types of emergency circumstances. The K9 Unit is also trained in other areas such as finding illegal drugs and locating weapons or other missing items that were left behind at crime scenes. The K9 Unit is beloved by the public and participates in many community events. The Foundation supports the K9 Unit by providing new dogs, training, equipment, and medical care for the dogs.

A new program funded by the Foundation is the “Engrave and Save” program, which aims to combat catalytic converter theft in Chula Vista. As catalytic converter theft continues to affect communities nationwide, the Foundation purchased two specialty engraving tools that are being used by the Police Department to inscribe VIN numbers on the catalytic converters of Chula Vista residents. The Chula Vista Police Department has hosted five events and engraved over 250 vehicles in order to make residents’ vehicles less desirable targets for theft. This simple act not only helps deter theft but could also assist police in investigating stolen parts. It’s one strategy in a larger effort to address catalytic converter theft in Chula Vista.

Since its inception in 2003, the mission of the Foundation has been to provide financial support to the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) for specialized safety equipment, contemporary training, and community programs that are not otherwise funded by the city’s budget.

The Foundation is committed to making the Chula Vista community where people live, work and play safer and more resilient. Through community engagement programs, Foundation volunteers and CVPD staff collaborate with local organizations and businesses to deliver necessary services to families in need and make a positive impact on the community. CVPD’s annual National Night Out event on Aug 1st attracts over 2,000 residents. Families and community members participate in games, demonstrations, and tours of the Police Department. This event provides a great opportunity for the public to meet officers one-onone in a relaxed and fun setting. Additionally, the Shoe and Sock Drive supplies new shoes, socks and school backpacks to the less fortunate youth living in our community. Over 300 students from the Chula Vista Elementary School District are invited to a local shoe store to select their new shoes, socks, backpacks, and school supplies in preparation for the upcoming school year. Moreover, the annual Holiday Meal and Toy Giveaway provides local families with a holiday meal and toys to enjoy during the holiday season.

Hundreds of families in need not only receive toys and food, but also receive hope and joy from the community during a difficult time for them emotionally and economically.

All of these programs and services are made possible by the generosity of donations from the public. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors (chaired by Debbie Escobedo) and is composed of community leaders who are passionate about public safety. The Board works closely with CVPD Chief Roxana Kennedy to fulfill the mission of the Chula Vista Police Foundation.

The 10th Annual Evening With Heroes is taking place on September 23rd and attracts over 500 people each year. There are many sponsorship levels available for businesses wanting to take part in the event. For more information about sponsorship opportunities and to buy event tickets online, visit www. chulavistapolicefoundation.org or contact Veronica Worthington at veronica@chulavistapolicefoundation.org. All proceeds of the event help support the many worthwhile community outreach programs, critical equipment, and specialized training for the Chula Vista Police Department.

The 10th Annual Evening With Heroes is taking place on September 23rd and attracts over 500 people each year.