Sam Katz Honored for Precinct Work
at a meeting that fluctuated between tears and laughter, sam katz stepped down from her position as president of the 20th precinct community council after 16 years of service. the community council is the volunteer organization that works with new york police department to make sure that neighborhood concerns are being addressed.
detectives new and retired, former commanders, members of the auxiliary police and thankful west side community members showed up to wish her well and thank her for her years of hard work.
a surprised katz teared up as she addressed the packed meeting room at the 20th precinct july 28.
"i've been involved with the council for a long time and i'm very emotional tonight," katz said.
captain christopher mccormack, who took the helm of the 20th precinct as commanding officer in may, said that katz has had a monumental impact on the station and that he wished he had been able to work with her for a longer period.
"this is a tremendous loss for us and we all shed a little tear that you are leaving today," he said.
the love fest for katz was broken only long enough to take a vote to establish the new 20th community council. ian alterman, the former vice president of the council, was voted in as its new president.
"i could make a lot of jokes right now," he said. "but the reality is that i have enormous shoes to fill."
in addition to numerous gifts that were given to her, council member gale brewer showed up to give katz a proclamation and thank her for all of her years of service.
"i just wanted to say thank you and to let you know how much we appreciate all of the work that you've done," brewer said.