Brooklyn Park Crime Prevention Volunteer
Sometimes the best volunteers are the ones who show up to get things done. That’s the case with Brooklyn Park Crime Prevention Board volunteer Dave Kaliher. He has been serving on the board of the organization since it started almost three decades ago.
“I’ve heard stories of when he first started as a volunteer. He hasn’t let up,” says Terry Dehmer, crime prevention specialist for Brooklyn Park Police. “Since I’ve known him, I don’t care if there’s a snowstorm, Dave gets to the meeting. He’s very dedicated.”
The Brooklyn Park Crime Prevention Association is a group of people who raise funds in the city to help prevent crimes. They support the Santa Cop program, Kids safety camp, National Night Out, Police K-9 dogs and more. Sometimes crime prevention efforts are as simple as providing padlocks for high school students who cannot afford one. All of the efforts are spearheaded by volunteers.
A “legendary” volunteer
Dave Kaliher is almost a legend with the Brooklyn Park Crime Prevention Association because he’s been there so long. “Usually a volunteer has been doing this for a couple of years and Dave is quite the opposite,” says Dehmer. “He hasn’t let up as he’s gotten older and he hasn’t slowed down.”
Kaliher also volunteers with Crime Watch and for National Night Out. He is an active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and works in the office there helping with paperwork and grant applications. Just last year he logged more than 150 hours with Habitat. Staff say the only time he’s not volunteering is when he’s volunteering as an election judge.
Why give back? Kaliher says it comes down to camaraderie and community.
“I get to work with nice people and am able to contribute to whatever organization I am volunteering at and contribute to their goals,” says Kaliher. “It feels good to be able to serve the community.”
