Guatemalan community hosts dinner to thank Phoenix police
Phoenix Public Safety Manager Jack Harris, along with a number of other Phoenix police of various ranks and assignments were the guests of honor at a special dinner held on Thursday evening, December 10, 2009. Members of the Guatemalan community representing the Organizacion Maya Chapin de Guatemala en Arizona (Maya Chapin) and parishioners from Iglesia Impacto De Fe Church hosted the event at the church located at 4030 N. 27th Avenue. The group invited the police officials to show their deep appreciation for the department’s work in neighborhoods located in the South Mountain and Maryvale Precincts. Maya Chapin president, Mr. Antonio Velasquez spoke in his native language as an interpreter from Arizona State University translated his words to the attendees.
Velasquez spoke passionately about how the officers from the precincts were so helpful during this past year’s Guatemalan Independence Celebration at Esteban Park and how they have been so helpful dealing with the gang and drug problems encountered at Willow Park near 28th Avenue and Polk. The park is used by members of the Guatemalan community for soccer games and various family events. Mr. Valasquez singled out PSM Harris and commended him for his outstanding leadership in the department.
During the ceremony and dinner, one of the Guatemalan youth led the group with the Pledge of Allegiance and several other youth presented PSM Harris with a “trophy award” on behalf of the church and the Maya Chapin. Harris graciously accepted the award and thanked the community for their support of the department. He also shared some personal reflections of his time as a boy growing up in the area that they now call home. Harris related, “I have a personal interest in seeing that your neighborhoods are safe.” The evening was capped off with a traditional Guatemalan dinner of tamales wrapped in banana leaves, followed by lots of friendly conversation and photo opportunities.