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SWNA honors KPD officers

By Tasha Mahurin

Tasha@knoxfocus.com

As part of an ongoing project, the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association (SWNA) in South Knoxville has set out to thank the civil servants in their neighborhood and let them know that they are appreciated. The organization began its mission in December of last year by thanking the postal employees at the South Knoxville Post Office branch.

Last week, they chose to thank area police officers who work tirelessly to make their neighborhood safe and quiet to live in.

“It’s serendipitous that we chose this week to recognize our police officers as it is also National Police Appreciation week,” SWNA president Janice Tocher.

National Police Week occurs each year during the week of May 15. The week was established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962 and recognizes law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

The SWNA especially wanted to acknowledge their liaison with the Knoxville Police Department, Officer Dan Roark, who works with the group at their monthly membership meetings. Officer Roark discusses the issues and concerns of the neighborhood group and then takes that information back to the other officers on the South Knoxville beat.

“KPD does a great job of staying in touch with their customers, our neighborhood groups. They attend every meeting and take notes and proactively follow up on the issues brought forward at the meetings. This has resulted in several arrest and brings tranquility to our most important asset, neighborhoods,” Vice Mayor Nick Pavlis, who represents South Knoxville on city council, told The Focus.

Members of the group felt that all too often these officers don’t hear ‘Thank you’, so they took a moment on Friday afternoon at the City of Knoxville Police Department to offer their appreciation. The Village Bakery supplied cookies and cupcakes while River Dog Bakery thoughtfully donated baskets for the K-9 officers.

“Our thanks go not only to the officers who keep South Knoxville safe and their K-9 partners, but also to The Village Bakery and River Dog Bakery who are in full support of our community,” Tocher added.