Leadership Citations Awards were presented on May 16th to two highly prestigious community law enforcement personnel. Director Juan Perez of the Miami
Dade Police Department was presented with a Leadership Citation Award by Rabbi Abe Friedman of NYC Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’ office and by Florida Highway Patrol Chaplain Mark Rosenberg. The award ceremony which was held at the Miami Dade Police Department Headquarters and joined by Deputy Director Alfredo
Ramirez, was given for Director Perez’s exemplary leadership in keeping the Jewish communities of South Florida safe.

Upon presenting the award, Rabbi Rosenberg hailed the efforts of Director Perez as heroic and, at times, above and beyond expectations. “Director Perez has dedicated his life to the growth and safety of all those who live in Miami Dade and the Jewish community feels honored to have a leader in law enforcement who recognizes the needs and consideration affiliated with the Jewish communities he serves,” explained Rabbi Rosenberg.

A Citation Award was also presented by Rabbi Abe Friedman and Florida Highway Patrol Chaplain and Director of CSE Mark Rosenberg to Major Christopher Dellapitetra, Commander of Troop E of Florida Highway Patrol, for his commendable leadership and endeavors in maintaining safety and wellbeing to the communities of South Florida. At the presentation of the award which was held at Florida Highway Patrol Command (Troop E), Rabbi Friedman expressed the gratitude and good wishes of the Jewish communities for the exceptional good work and achievements by Major Dellapitetra over the years.

“Major Dellapitetra has been the vanguard of recognition that we are a safer community in the present because of his untiring efforts in the past,” declared Rabbi Friedman. Chaplain Rosenberg also expressed his gratitude to MajorDellapitetra for going beyond the call of duty, especially during the Jewish holidays, to ensure that the safety of worshipers and visitors remained a priority.Joining in the award presentation were Captain Michael Wilfong and Lieutenant Alenjandro Camacho, both representing the Florida Highway Patrol Troop E.

A highly anticipated award ceremony was held as well at Miami International Airport on May 17th where Leadership Citation Awards were presented to Mark Hatfield, Assistant Aviation Director & Chief Security Officer, and Major Raymond Melcon, Miami Dade Police Department / Miami Dade Aviation Department Airport District. These two highly recognized air travel personnel were praised by Chaplain Mark Rosenberg and Rabbi Abe Friedman for their unwavering commitment to travel safety and religious understanding towards the Florida Jewish community’s visitors and travelers during the many holiday seasons. Joining in the award ceremony was the newly appointed Aviation Director &; Chief Executive Officer of Miami International Airport, Lester Sola, as well as the Custom & Border Patrol Assistant Director Michael Balero.

“Director Mark Hatfield has been a unique leader in the safeguarding and implementation of travel strategies that would lend itself to a most convenient and enjoyable visit of our friend and relatives to our Jewish communities during the holidays,” remarked Chaplain Rosenberg. Rabbi Friedman added his praise to Director Hatfield for his loyalty and allegiance to his constituency insuring safe travels in and out of Florida.

As the Leadership Citation Award was awarded to Major Raymond Melcon, he was hailed as a symbol of dedication among the ranks of law enforcement. Chaplain Mark Rosenberg and Rabbi Abe Friedman delivered tribute and acknowledgement for a job well done during their presentation, expounding on Major Melcon’s history of steadfastness in service and laudable success as a leader in the travel sector of the Miami Police Department.

In a statement, Chaplain Rosenberg and Rabbi Friedman recognized and welcomed the newly appointed Aviation Director & Chief Executive Officer of Miami
International Airport,Lester Sola. “We welcome Director Sola and wish him blessings of success and achievement in this new position, and look forward to a long lasting and mutually beneficial working relationship for many years to come.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams expressed pride in the presentation of awards to such honorable and illustrious Individuals. “It’s a great honor for me to present these Citation Awards and recognize such leadership and valor of these law- enforcement agencies and the Miami International Airport executives, who work hand-in-hand with community leaders and strived to continuously and responsibly secure the safety of thousands of travelers from Brooklyn NY during the Jewish holiday seasons and throughout the vacation season. We honor their commitment to all visitors from Brooklyn NY and tourists from all over the globe and we thank them for their extraordinary efforts,” remarked Borough President Adams.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)