PCRC Donates to Crime Dog Program, Unity Tour

McGruff the Crime Dog needs favors to hand out at public appearances.

And Sgt. Vicki Warehime, a Baltimore County police officer who rides each year in the 320-mile Police Unity Tour, needs some sponsorship help—$1,800 worth—to participate this year.

So the Pikesville Precinct Police & Community Relations Council voted Tuesday to help out, approving $944 for the McGruff materials, $100 toward Warehime's ride, and $25 for .

Posluszny, the precinct's domestic violence coordinator, will use that money to attend a forensics course on assault.

But giving support to the Pikesville precinct is nothing new for the PCRC. That's what the group does—support its local officers.

Made up of volunteer residents and a police liaison, it provides funds, volunteer help, and holds gatherings for officers and their families, including holiday meals for officers on duty.

Riding to remember

On Tuesday at the council's monthly meeting, Warehime described the 2012 Police Unity Tour, and showed a video of last year's journey, which included 1,200 bicyclists.

The tour is held each to raise awareness of fallen law enforcement officers, and to raise money for and awareness of the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., Warehime said.

Each year fallen officers' survivors meet the bicyclists in Washington D.C. for a candlelight ceremony honoring those who have died in the line of duty.

"It's a humbling experience," Warehime said of the ceremony. This year, she rides this year in honor of Lt. Michael Patrick Howe of the Baltimore County Police Department.

Howe died in 2008 of a job-related illness, according to his Officer Down Memorial Page.

To donate to Warehime's efforts for the bicycle ride, visit the Police Unity Tour Chapter IX website.

When donating, include her name "Vicki Warehime" on the online form or check so that it will go to fund her participation.

Be a member

are held at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. Anyone who resides within the precinct is welcome to attend.

Membership is $5 per individual or $10 per neighborhood.

Becoming a member makes you eligible to vote in the council's annual elections in May. A neighborhood membership gets a vote for one neighborhood representative.

Nominations for officers are in April, said Jerry D'Antoni, president.

To become a PCRC member, email D'Antoni at j.dantoni@verizon.net, or come to the next meeting on Feb. 28.