Awarded in honor of Bill Gross who was the chair of INC in the early 1990s, was president of the Whittier Neighborhood Association, and was an organizer of the Northeast Denver Congress.  His passion was for building partnerships between neighborhood groups and the Denver Police Department to improve neighborhood safety.

Susan Vasalle

Leetsdale Cop Shop

The Virginia Village/Ellis Neighborhood Association nominated Susan for her extensive commitment and concern for public safety.  She is a member of the East Evans Business Association, and a participant in the ‘Blue Bow’ campaign to support and honor law enforcement.

She serves as President of the Board of the Leetsdale Cop Shop.  Leetsdale and other Cop Shops were awarded a Denver Foundation Grant for crime prevention.  She oversaw the prevention publication “Refuse to be a Victim” and got funding for other prevention programs such as theft from lockers and vehicles prevention program at 24-Hour Fitness and the ‘District 3 Police Teen Leadership’ program.

Under her leadership, 200 personally signed thank-you notes and trick-or-treat Halloween bags as well as a Christmas Basket were delivered to officers in District 3.

At National Night Out Susan organized Cop Shop volunteers, and Target employees to serve 20 gallons of ice cream to community members and recruited volunteers to supply coloring books for kids at the local laundromat.

She is truly deserving of the Bill Gross Memorial Award for her caring, sharing and commitment to community safety, and her collaboration with law enforcement.