Local activists and police officials announced the formation of the Seal Beach Police Foundation at a Monday, July 21, press conference at Seal Beach Police Headquarters.
“After being involved in the community for years and in discussion with the police department, particularly Sergeants Steve Bowles and Phil Gonshak, along with Chief Joe Stilinovich, it became clear we needed more resources for our police, specifically for unmet needs,” said Marc Loopesko, the Foundation’s president.
“Our board members are pleased to announce the launch of the Seal Beach Police Foundation and welcome the entire community to engage with us at our first event, National Night Out on August 5th,” Loopesko said.
The mission of the Foundation is “to provide support to and for the benefit of police officers and employees for the Seal Beach Police Department, including facilitating fundraising efforts and providing funding, training, equipment and resources for the Seal Beach Police Department.”
Vice President Greg Phillips said the Foundation’s vision is to make a Seal Beach that is good for people, for business and for life.
Planning for the foundation apparently began about four years ago, and since February the police department and community leaders have been meeting to move the vision of the Foundation forward.
the Foundation has identified three key areas in which it is going to focus on during its first year. The first: supplemental gift cards and resources for the Seal Beach Homeless Liaison Officer, so that the officer has addition tools to deal with encounters like a family living out of their car or a transient who needs their prescription medication.
Currently, there is no tool to do those types of outreach activities, according to a Foundation press release.
Finding a classic or vintage police vehicle is normally the realm of a Hollywood props manager, yet
Second: the Foundation has identified getting a showcase classic or vintage police vehicle for use at community events and education outreach.
Third: funding an ombudsman police officer for elder outreach. The ombudsman officer will enable the Police Department to connect with a large portion of the population both in and outside of Leisure World.
Police Chief Joe Stilinovich said he fully supports the Foundation.
“It is ideal that the Seal Beach Police Foundation recognizes that the Seal Beach Police Department has very little flexibility to seed new programs and encourage innovation,” Stilinovich said.
Foundation Board members are: Marc Loopesko, Greg Gina Phillips, Laura Ellsworth, Scott Newton, Tom Stretz, Vince Bodiford, Erik Dreyer-Goldman, Jeff Crowe, Frank Bursinger and Seth Eaker.
All have generously given substantially to bring the Foundation to fruition.
During National Night Out the Foundation will be present to encourage membership by community members, business sponsors and groups.
For more information, contact Sgt. Phil Gonshak via email to pgonshak@sealbeachca.gov or phone at 562-342-7391.
