Plymouth Police Department wins award

INDEPENDENCE — AAA East Central sponsored the annual Community Traffic Safety Awards Banquet recently for Northeast Ohio Law Enforcement Agencies at the Embassy Suites in Independence. There were about 60 agencies represented at this formal event, with well over 100 officers in attendance. Plymouth Police Department received the prestigious Platinum Award by demonstrating their dedication to prioritizing the safety of motorists and pedestrians who not only reside in the village, but for those who travel through the community on Ohio 61. Plymouth Police Chief Tom Hintz and Captain Montel Gordon have endorsed and put into action several safety programs: School Bus Safety, Bicycle Safety, Pedestrian Safety, Child Passenger Safety Seats, Seat Belt Safety, and initiating funding for new roadway construction on Ohio 61 at the entrance and exit of the village park. Although not a complete list, these programs have become a stable and effective safety tool in the village over the past several years. Along with Plymouth Police Department, other law enforcement agencies in Northeast Ohio received the Platinum Award. Additional departments were honored with Gold, Silver or Bronze awards. "We are honored to recognize these local departments for their efforts in the Community Traffic Safety Program," said Theresa Podguski, director of legislative affairs for AAA East Central in a release. "Each organization has gone above and beyond their call of duty to make their community a safer place for motorists and residents." The Platinum awards were given to "Commendable Leaders" for their safety efforts and enforcement activities geared toward making communities safer, a release further stated. Other recipients of the Platinum Awards are the following law enforcement departments: Avon Lake, Elyria, Euclid, Gates Mills, Geauga County Sheriff's Office, Highland Heights, Hiram, Independence, Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Maple Heights, Mentor, Moreland Hills, Orange Village, Parma Heights, Russell Township, Shaker Heights, South Russell and Strongsville. Also, Ohio State Highway Patrol Posts in Elyria, Norwalk, Ashland, Canfield, Chardon, Cleveland, Hiram, Ravenna and Warren received awards. Gold Awards, the second highest recognition to be given, were awarded to the following law enforcement departments: Amherst, Avon, Chardon, Lorain County Sheriff's Office, Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office, North Eastern Ohio Medical University, North Royalton, Portage County Sheriff's Office and Trumbull County Sheriff's Office. Silver Awards were given to the following law enforcement departments: Huron County Sheriff's Office, Boardman, Canfield, Hunting Valley, Lyndhurst, Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, Niles, University Heights, Warren, Wickliff, Youngstown and Cleveland Police Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Bronze Awards were given to the Middlefield and Richmond Heights Police Departments AAA East Central has been pro-active to partner with law enforcement and safety agencies on initiatives to improve the safety of the community and local highways.