Eckerd College Search and Rescue on Tuesday was awarded an $8,000 grant from the St. Petersburg Police Department for its work serving the community.
EC-SAR was one of 33 community programs receiving grants awarded by Police Chief Anthony Holloway, a 1999 Eckerd graduate. The city awarded a total of $100,000, the highest amount of forfeiture funds presented in the recent history of the department.
The asset forfeiture funds will help community groups, associations, and organizations engaged in projects that seek to improve neighborhood safety, promote crime prevention, provide drug abuse education and offer drug abuse prevention services.
“Mayor Rick Kriseman; EC-SAR members Meg Evens, Marissa Campbell and Christy Hillman; Assistant Director for EC-SAR Ryan Dilkey; and Police Chief Anthony Holloway.”
The grant comes nine months after EC-SAR was recognized by the Police Department and the St. Petersburg City Council for its role in the search and recovery of 5-year-old Phoebe Jonchuck, who was thrown from the Dick Misener Bridge in January, allegedly by her Deranged father.
“We are honored that the city recognizes the hard work and dedication of our student volunteers,’’ said Eckerd Waterfront Director Renee Register.
Founded in 1971, EC-SAR is the only marine search and rescue team at a U.S. college, responding to more than 500 calls each year as a free service to the community. Go here for ways you can support EC-SAR.
