Safe Streets Coalition and Topeka City of Character will be holding a press conference on November 5 at 12:00 noon at the Great Overland Station to announce the recipients of the Champion of Character award for demonstrating character that significantly improves the health, safety and quality of life in the community. 

This month’s recipients of the Champion of Character Award are Lamin L. Britt and Angela Gamber. A third person, Mr. Justin Newhouse will not be attending the award ceremony, but will also be receiving an award. 

These three citizens witnessed an attempted robbery of a woman who was in the Dillon’s shopping center.  Mr. Britt, an employee of Dillons, went to the aid of a woman who had her purse snatched.  Mr. Britt risked danger to himself by confronting the suspect and getting the victim’s stolen purse back for her. Originally, the suspect was armed with a knife.  Mr. Newhouse also assisted Mr. Britt and tried to stop the robber.  

Mrs. Gamber heard the woman scream and saw the robber run to his car with two males chasing him.  She positioned her car to block to robber’s vehicle from leaving.  The suspect hit her car and left.  She had to get her car repaired from the damage.

The efforts of these three citizens led to the arrest of the suspect.  He is facing numerous robbery charges, according to the police officer who nominated the three.  Officer Lawrence Boos, Topeka Police Department, nominated the three for demonstrating the character quality of determination.

“While Safe Streets does not advocate citizens placing themselves in personal danger, we do want to recognize these three for stepping out to help the woman who was robbed”, stated Sally Zellers, Executive Director of Safe Streets.  “This was a team effort that showed initiative and a willingness to get involved. These three citizens are to be commended for their efforts, even though we do not want to encourage all citizens to place themselves in harm’s way.”       

This Character Recognition Project is part of a broader initiative to address crime and make Topeka the Safest Capital City in America.  By recognizing people in the community who make a difference, the project hopes to reward those who make Topeka a safer, healthier place and to inspire others to learn how they can contribute as well.     The nominee will receive a Character Recognition Certificate featuring the names of all of the people who form the Character Recognition Council, which honors our citizens.

Members of the Character Recognition Council include Congresswoman Nancy Boyda, Senator Laura Kelly, Mayor Bill Bunten, Chief of Police Ron Miller, Commissioner Ted Ensley, Commissioner Shelly Buhler, Director Department of Corrections Richard Kline, District Attorney Robert Hecht, Shawnee County Sheriff Richard Barta and City Councilman Jack Woelfel.  As their schedule allows, these dignitaries present the awards. 

Anyone may make nominations for Character Champions.  Nomination forms may be obtained by downloading a form at the Topeka City of Character website at www.topekacityofcharacter.org.  Nomination forms may also be found at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka Capital Journal office or by calling the Topeka City of Character office at 233-3699.

Future press conferences recognizing Character Champions will be set for the first Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon at the Great Overland Station immediately preceding the Safe Streets monthly meeting.

For further information about the Character Recognition Initiative, contact Cindy Patton, Topeka City of Character office, 800 SW Jackson, Suite 1414, Phone: 640-7403, Fax: 354-1901 or email: topekacityofcharacter@gmail.com.