‘Foundation money will go to DPS museum and memorial, incentive’

Money donated to the Department of Public Safety Foundation will go to a museum and memorial as well as to an incentive program for DPS staff, according to DPS Commissioner James Deleon Guerrero.

He disclosed these projects shortly after Godfather’s Beach House Bar owners Ron Biggers and Scott Dottino turned over to him a $1,544 check representing proceeds from a 4th of July fundraiser the bar hosted at the Fiesta Resort and Spa’s beachside.

Deleon Guerrero immediately handed the check to the Foundation’s treasurer.

Biggers said he and Dottino are donating the money to show their appreciation to DPS and police officers on the island.

“They’re doing a terrific job for us here. A lot of times they’re always out there on the front line for us. And we see that, day in and day out in our business. And this is our way of sharing our appreciation for the job you do,” said Bigger.

Dottino said they hope the amount will help a good cause, whatever DPS chooses to use it for.

Biggers and Dottino are employers of the late bartender Emerita Romero, who was kidnapped, robbed, raped, and murdered by Joseph A. Crisostomo.

Deleon Guerrero said he would like to see the DPS Foundation focus on two key principles when looking at future projects: it will have a lasting impression and it will benefit the community.

Deleon Guerrero said he would also like to see some kind of an incentive program that will reward deserving DPS employees.

He pointed out that a lot of DPS officers have not received any salary raises since 2001.

“I think that having some kind of an incentive program will go a long way,” he added.

Deleon Guerrero said somebody may be selected as the department’s employee of the year and given a monetary reward.

He said one major project they’re working on this year is the public safety museum and public safety memorial at the renovated former Superior Court buildings.

He said they have already organized efforts to reach out to the families of officers who were killed in the line of duty or those who have retired and passed away. A memorial, the commissioner said, will be built in front of the museum where the names of these officers will be inscribed.

He said they will get old pictures, old weapons, and other things that they want to display in the museum.

He said they also want the museum to show the evolution of the officers’ uniforms from the beginning up to the present.