Araina Richards to Receive OPD Award

by Sheila D'Amico

Police Service Area (PSA) Five's Lt. Sharon Williams tells us that Neighborhood Services Coordinator (NSC) Araina Richards will receive the Oakland Police Department Unit Citation Award. Araina serves as the NSC for Maxwell Park, Melrose High Hopes, and Burbank Millsbrae Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils (NCPCs). Lt. Williams says that Araina is receiving the award for "harnessing the energy of her NCPCs to get two criminal court judges for the Wiley Manuel courthouse, service that is above and beyond the call." Araina's and the NCPCs' efforts came after a comment by the District Attorney that the D.A. was having difficulty prosecuting criminal defendants because there was only one criminal court judge.

Two other PSA Five NSCs, Karen Harris and Jackie Long, will also receive the award. Awards will be presented at a ceremony at noon on Dec. 6, 2007 at the OPD, Broadway and 7th. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Sheila D'Amico can be reached at sdamicolaw\@earthlink.net.