Still I Rise, Inc. presents Sheriff High with 2013 Community Empowerment Award

Upper Marlboro, MD…Sheriff Melvin C. High accepted the 2013 Community Empowerment Award for Outstanding Service during Still I Rise, Inc.’s First Annual Community Empowerment Series Gala on Friday, December 20, 2013.

The award presented to Sheriff High Friday at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center acknowledged the Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Intervention Division’s (DVID) dedicated work, support and collaboration with Still I Rise, Inc. in prevention and intervention of domestic violence.

“It is an honor to receive this accolade, I am accepting this award on behalf of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Office who work with great effort and compassion to intercede in and stop Domestic Violence,” said Sheriff High. “With continued collaborations with organizations like Still I Rise, Inc. we hope to continue to combat domestic violence crimes and help victims become survivors.”

Dr. Glenda F. Hodges, Founder and General Director of Still I Rise, Inc., said “Still I Rise, Inc. selected Sheriff Melvin C. High and his agency for the thoughtful and creative methods they have used to mitigate Domestic Violence in Prince George’s County.”

The Sheriff’s Office DVID has an in depth domestic violence related responsibility throughout Prince George’s County in which DVID utilizes a three pronged approach:  Pre-intervention is the service of Protective and Peace Orders, On-sight intervention where Sheriff’s Deputies respond to emergency 911 Domestic Violence calls for service in Police District III, and Post-Intervention when Domestic Violence Advocates reach out to victims within 24 hours of a Domestic Violence incident to help the victim access a variety of services and resources.

For more information about Still I Rise, Inc. visit http://www.stillirisemd.org/home.html

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

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Leadership Prince George’s Donates “Teddy Bears” to Sheriff for Children Affected by Domestic Violence

Upper Marlboro, MD… Leadership Prince George’s, Inc. (LPG) donated nearly 250 Teddy Bears and other stuffed animals to the Sheriff’s Office at its alumni and friends holiday celebration.  The stuffed animals, contributed by LPG members and alumni, and Jack and Jill of Prince George’s County were presented to Sheriff Melvin C. High and Chief Assistant Darrin C. Palmer - a Class 22 alum.  The toys are used by Sheriff’s Deputies in the Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID) to comfort small children they encounter in domestic violence situations.

LPG Board Chair Marva Jo Camp introduced Sheriff Melvin C. High. Of the partnership with the Sheriff’s Office she said, “The Teddy Bear project is one we enjoy for a lot of reasons; it brings our graduates and current class together in fellowship and common cause; it supports the public safety work of one of our alum and board members; and we get to hope that each of these toys will comfort a child in a violent situation.”

Sheriff High thanked LPG and spoke briefly about the Domestic Violence Intervention Division (DVID), the importance of speaking out against abuse and the fact that children are often the silent victims in domestic violence disputes. “Our deputies see so many things. For a frightened and confused child, a stuffed animal may be just the thing they can hold on to when they are in the midst of a violent storm they don’t understand. They can mean more than you know,” said Sheriff High.

Sheriff High went on to say that Domestic Violence affects communities across the county, the state and the world, and that silence and fear of reporting abuse continue to be among the major challenges in the fight against domestic violence.

For more information contact the Communications and Public Affairs Division at 301-780-7354.

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