The 111th Precinct‘s top police officers and community members were recognized in Bayside for their outstanding efforts at the 111th Precinct Community Council’s annual Awards Night earlier this month.
Captain John Hall, the precinct’s commanding officer, distributed the awards at the June event, which took place at the Adria Hotel & Conference Center on Northern Boulevard. It was Hall’s first awards night at the command, which covers areas of Bayside, Douglaston, Little Neck and Flushing, after taking over the post earlier this year.
Lieutenant Mohamad Yahiya I. Patwekar was awarded Supervisor of the Year; Detective of the Year honors went to to John Reinle; and the Police Officer of the Year award was presented to Police Officer John Erdman, who currently serves in the precinct’s Community Affairs Unit.
“[Erdman] has been instrumental in establishing and fostering relationships in the community,” Hall said. “He’s made the 111th Precinct an integral part of this community.”
Awards were also given to civilian participants within the precinct. Lina Balestri was awarded Crossing Guard of the Year; Lia Woychowski the Auxiliary of the Year; Angelina Sarac the Civilian of the Year; and Renee Chan the Explorer of the Year.
Chan, a junior at LaGuardia High School, has been enrolled in the precinct’s Explorers program since 2015, according to Hall. The student has volunteered over 100 hours of service to community initiatives including graffiti and park cleanups, fundraisers and crime prevention efforts.
“Renee is a true leader and role model and has a bright future ahead of her,” Hall said.
Awards were sponsored by the Jefferson Democratic Club. Councilmen Paul Vallone and Barry Grodenchik were also present for the ceremony.
