OPTIMISTS SALUTE TOP COPS

WELLAND - Local Niagara Regional Police officers have had an extremely
busy year so far.

They made 30 arrests, executed 12 search warrants, seized 2,700
marijuana plants worth an estimated $2.7 million, seized about
$100,000 in grow-op equipment, and 21 ounces of cocaine worth an
estimated $47,000.

"And that's just since January," said NRP Supt. Geoff Skaftfeld. "It's
exceptional work."

On Monday several of the Welland police detachment's hardest working
officers were honoured for the work they've done keeping the city safe
from crime.

The Welland Optimist Club held its Respect For Law awards banquet,
presenting awards to Det. Const. Wayne Brown, Det. Sgt. Paul Blakely
and Det. Const. Robert Smart.

Elaine Hunter, a civilian who has worked for the NRP for the past 26
years, was also honoured for the work she has done assisting police
officers.

Skaftfeld said the award recipients are selected by the NRP's entire
supervisory staff, and the officers who receive them work hard to earn
the honour.

"Over the past year there have been some excellent, excellent
investigations," he said.