The 39th annual Police and Emergency Services Appreciation Night, a community picnic honoring first responders sponsored by Pacific Beach Town Council, will be Wednesday, Sept. 25 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Rotary Pavilion, 3700 Corona Oriente Road in North Crown Point Shores.
Featured first responders this year are the City’s park rangers and park maintenance staff serving the beaches and PB parks.
PAESAN costs $5. Children attend free. The carne asada barbecue is provided by employees of Mossy Toyota. The menu includes hot dogs and grilled fish provided by OMBAC, ice cream by Hammonds Gourmet Ice Cream and coffee and sweets from Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.
Three years ago, PBTC purchased a Polaris Ranger side-by-side all-terrain vehicle that assists rangers with patrol duties and park improvement projects.
This year’s PBTC donation totaling $14,000 was used to further outfit the ATV with an emergency light bar, PA system, doors and a windshield. Additionally, rangers were able to purchase all new high-quality digital cameras, binoculars and assorted power tools.
The annual fundraiser is attended by representatives from the San Diego Police Department Northern Division, Station 21 of San Diego Fire-Rescue, San Diego lifeguards, and the City’s Park and Rec Department.
“We hold our first responders in high regard for the noble job they do everyday amidst the many challenges they face in maintaining public safety for our neighborhood,” said PBTC president Brian White. “Our PBTC looks forward to highlighting these men and women to the community at PAESAN for their honorable service this year.”
“It’s easy to complain about the things that are broken or mismanaged in our neighborhood parks,” agreed Regina Sinsky-Crosby, PBTC board member. “It’s more difficult, but far more rewarding, to take the time and effort to thank those who are working daily to make things better. The park rangers and shore line rangers work on the front lines of some of our community’s biggest issues. We are so excited to show them we see them. We support them. We’re being the change we want to see.”
Each year, first responders nominate one of their own to receive the PBTC Service Award. In 2019, the inaugural Rose Marie Starns Service Award will be presented to Stacey LoMedico, in recognition of her 19 years of leadership while with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The ranger staff at Mission Bay Park includes one senior ranger and four rangers who together cover all 5,000 acres of Mission Bay Park and Famosa Slough. Rangers provide coverage 12 hours per day, 7 days per week during the busy summer season.
Park Ranger responsibilities include public education, law enforcement, providing information and directions to park users and helping to maintain order and safety in a park that sees upwards of 21 million visitors per year.
Over the last five years, the PBTC has raised more than $100,000 to fulfill wish lists of first responders. Sponsors include: Evans Hotels, SeaWorld, Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages, Ocean Park Inn, Mission Bay Lessees Association, Campland, FIDO, PB Woman’s Club, Mission Beach Women’s Club, Discover PB and the Mission Beach Town Council.
Tickets for PAESAN may be purchased at the PBTC office at 1706 Garnet Ave., or at pbtowncouncil.org. Tickets will also be available at the event.
For more information, call 858-483-6666.
