NEWS
Greeks honor MPD officer
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by Jesse Koehler
Thursday, February 21, 2008
The University of Wisconsin Greek community and Madison Police Department recognized a police officer Tuesday for his contributions toward safety in the Langdon Street area.
Officer Tony Fiore collaborated with students to create the Langdon Street Neighborhood Watch Program and has been promoted to sergeant at the Madison Police Department.
Not only did this improve relations between the Greek community and the Madison Police Department, it also provided an opportunity for Greeks to join together and help improve their own community, he added.
Fiore said he was grateful for the recognition but added the credit also lay with the Greeks. He said during his two years patrolling the Greek community, he found it crucial to get the students involved with his work.
It was a partnership,” Fiore said. “None of this would have been possible if the Greek community wasn’t so responsive.”
The Neighborhood Watch Program schedules volunteers from the Greek community to walk up and down Langdon Street as a visual deterrent for crime in the area.
UW senior Brian Cho, a member of the Greek community, said it was through Fiore’s enthusiasm and dedication that the Greeks realized how much of a difference being proactive about safety could make.
Fiore’s efforts to find funding and support for the program provided most of the equipment necessary for the Neighborhood Watch. He supplied LEDs, reflective vests and flashlights for the program.
He has revolutionized the Greek community’s dealings with the police,” Cho said. “It gives you a good feeling to know that you are making a difference.”
In honor of the effect Fiore has had on their community, Greeks banded together and made donations on behalf of Fiore to both the Langdon Street Neighborhood Watch Program and the Ronald McDonald House of Madison.
Fiore received letters of thanks from various Greek houses as well as a “going away” gift. He said the gift, a framed picture of the Langdon Street sign, will act as a constant reminder to him of the positive effect he has had on the Langdon Street area and the Greek community.
Fiore assumed his new position Feb. 3 and was replaced by Officer Rene Gonzalez. Gonzalez said he is excited to continue the legacy of teamwork with the Greeks that Fiore began.
It’s a whole new world for me,” said Gonzalez, who previously patrolled nights in Madison’s north district.’You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.’ Sergeant Fiore, thank you for giving so much of yourself to making our city and our Greek community a safer place.”
Anonymous (February 21, 2008 @ 5:32am):
Since the creation of the program, Langdon quickly became the street I felt safest to walk on during weekend nights. Weekend being the key word.
Keep it up, though, Greeks. You do the University and its students a great service.
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