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Al Eskanazy, Chairman & CEO of Community-Police Relations Foundation (CPRF), was recognized as Citizen of the Year at the annual South Florida Police Benevolent Association Law Enforcement Award Gala in May. The event celebrates officers, remembers those who have fallen, and stands in solidarity with the surviving family members they left behind. The annual gala is a formal event that includes a sit-down dinner, an awards ceremony, live music, and dancing. Approximately 1,000 guests from law enforcement officers and their families, to state officials, local government leaders, and South Florida residents attend the event.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be selected for such a prestigious award by an organization committed to improving community-police relations and the quality of life of our law enforcement and community members. This recognition is not about me, but about every first responder who puts their life on the line, our engaged community members, and our many supporters. Together, we look forward to strengthening the momentum we have created to build bridges between law enforcement and community, transform lives, and increase safety and trust for all,” said Al Eskanazy, Chairman & CEO of Community-Police Relations Foundation.
“When it came time for us to select our Citizen of the Year, no one else is more fitting than Al Eskanazy. He has gone out of his way to not only support our organization, but also many other organizations that stand with our First Responders who find themselves in difficult times and financial hardships. CPRF is there to help others in very difficult times and we thank Al for being a champion with the law enforcement community. This is our way of showing that his generosity did not go unnoticed,” said Steadman Stahl, President of the South Florida Police Benevolent Association.
In the wake of recent incidents, the relationship between many communities and law enforcement has been strained, impacting mutual trust and safety. CPRF members have made it their mission to change this paradigm and improve the perception of police officers within our communities by taking proactive and innovative steps allowing police officers to positively interact with the communities they serve in non-law enforcement contexts, helping to build trust and familiarity, which is essential to addressing neighborhood problems and reducing crime.
About South Florida Police Benevolent Association
The South Florida Police Benevolent Association (SFLPBA) is an aggressive, pro-active union of professionals and past law enforcement officers working to protect the rights of policemen and women, and community officials throughout South Florida. Since incorporating in December 1963, it has continued to actively fight for, and attain, the rights of all members.
For the past 50 years, SFLPBA has worked to promote professionalism among law enforcement officers and establish a positive identity in South Florida and beyond. By aligning itself with key community-based citizen organizations and endorsing politicians with values it supports, the organization continues to enact positive change in South Florida and create a strong relationship between the community and its 6,500+ members.
About Community-Police Relations Foundation
Community-Police Relations Foundation was created in 2018 to improve relationships within communities by facilitating positive interactions with uniformed police officers. The goal is to reassure our communities that law enforcement officers are striving to keep our communities safe. CPRF works to instill trust and build respect in communities from Miami to New York, Camden, New Jersey, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
In the last four years, the Foundation has supported numerous initiatives to create a unified and harmonious relationship between law enforcement and the communities served. Initiatives include food for individuals and families in disadvantaged neighborhoods, mentorship for school-age youth, police officers’ participation in youth sports, awarding scholarships for graduating students, mental health training for law enforcement officers and spouses, supporting the fight against human trafficking and child abuse, preventing animal cruelty, and funding holiday festivities. To learn more about CPRF, visit www.cprfcharity.org and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @cprfcharity.
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