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Officers and State's Attorneys Receive Anti-Defamation League SHIELD Award

For Immediate Release: Monday, September 24, 2012

Congratulations to 4th District Community Services Officer Sharif Hidayat, Detective Matthew Vendemio, Hispanic Liaison (Public Information Office) Blanca Kling, Assistant State’s Attorney George Simms, and Assistant State’s Attorney Curtis Zeager, who among other recipients will receive the 2012 Anti-Defamation League (ADL) SHIELD Award tonight in Washington, DC.  The award honors law enforcement for major successes in the fight against hate crimes and domestic and international terrorism.

These officers and state’s attorneys are being honored for their investigation and prosecution of a hate crime.  Between March of 2006 and August of 2010, the neighborhood of Burnley Terrace, Amherst Avenue, and Reedie Drive in Wheaton had experienced a series of tire-slashing vandalisms in which the victims were primarily Hispanic.  Through the course of the investigation, officers identified approximately 28 victims.  On October 6, 2010, a suspect was arrested and charged with one count of malicious destruction of property under $500 and one count of race/religious harassment of a person.

The members of the community came together in early May after the sentencing of the defendant to show their solidarity as a community.  Members of MCPD stopped by for some food and good conversation.

Commander Damskey (left), 4th District Officer Sharif Hidayat (center), Assistant State's Attorney Curtis Zeager(right), and community members at the community celebrationCommander Damskey (left), 4th District Officer Sharif Hidayat (center), Assistant State's Attorney Curtis Zeager(right), and community members at the community celebration (Original Image)


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Release ID: 12-223
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: blog