With the refurbishing of Danville’s safety education center Friendly Town complete, Police Chief Christopher Yates hosted a hot dog dinner celebration for the community Wednesday (June 5th) evening in Lincoln Park, and he received a surprise. Brenda Dwiggins and Joyce Melton from the Lincoln Park Historic District Neighborhood Association presented the chief with a special award. The chief said afterwards that it belongs to many people who helped with the overhaul, especially after last summer’s storm damage.
AUDIO: That was humbling. I didn’t expect that. There were so many people that were involved in this. It wasn’t just my idea. There were a lot of people that said, “If we’re going to do it, let’s do it right. Let’s not have some of it right, some of it not. If you’re going to do something right, do it right.
(1st Picture) Chief Yates receives special award from Lincoln Park Historic District Neighborhood Association. (3rd Picture) Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr; Former Danville Director of Public Safety Larry Thomason, and Danville Police Chief Christopher Yates.
Also present was Former Danville Police Chief and Director of Public Safety Larry Thomason. He says anyone who remembers Friendly Town as a youngster can look at it now, and see it’s message all over again.
AUDIO: When you look at it now as an adult, if you close your eyes and open them as a first through third grader, what would you see? You’ll see an almost to scale, miniature city, that’s right at their age. Something huge to them, something they remember, something they can talk about
For Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr; this was a moment of pride. He’s thankful for all who helped; and especially mentioned Chief Yates, and a certain state senator who gave it a big push.
AUDIO: When we decide something is important in Danville, we get it done. And I just can’t thank Chief Yates enough on this; and Scott Bennett and his memory, because without him this would not have happened.
Chief Yates says summer classes at the refurbished Friendly Town are underway, and if you drive past Lincoln Park, you will most likely notice.
News story here.
News story here.
