SPD receiving McTevia award today

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Police Department will be presented with the 2016 Tom McTevia Memorial Award. This award is given each year to community members for removing barriers for people with disabilities in memory of community activist, Tom McTevia.

The department was selected for the award after Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon, Sandpoint Police Department employees, and and City Administrator Jennifer Stapleton stepped forward to help solve the problem unleashed dogs had on disabled veteran William Yeager’s ability to get a service dog.

Yeager, who is legally blind after suffering a stroke, has been assisted by local resident and volunteer, Cecelia Myers for the last year in a quest to secure a guide dog.

In April 2016, Yeager was selected for a guide dog and received what was intended to be a week-long trial. Within days of receiving the dog, the handler sent with the dog determined that, due to loose dogs rushing them as they walked through Yeager’s neighborhood, the situation was unsafe and took the animal back.

After Don and Cecelia Myers contacted Sandpoint officials, the city embarked on a public education campaign, including SPD officers conducting extra patrols in Yeager’s neighborhood and going door-to-door to talk with and educate neighbors. In addition, city officials launched a proactive animal control enforcement program using a reserve officer citywide. As a result of these efforts and continued outreach by Cecelia and Don Myers, Yeager has recently received confirmation from Leader Dogs for the Blind of Rochester Hills, Mich., that he is scheduled to receive a guide dog in August or September.

The award presentation will take place at the ADA Celebration Picnic at noon today at the Sandpoint City Beach. The public is invited. The picnic is part of a larger event that will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and feature free food, prizes, live music, face painting, wheelchair basketball and other activities.