U. Police gives Sofi's a plaque

When area children were hungry last summer after participating in the Penn-Lea Athletic Program, sponsored by University Police, Sofi's Restaurant heeded the call. And yesterday, University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich recognized their efforts during a plaque dedication ceremony held at the restaurant, located at 39th and Walnut streets. Sofi's, together with Cavanaugh's Restaurant, BillyBob's and other local restaurants, donated meals to the Penn-Lea Athletic Program, "an effort started by several officers in the department to get youth involved with the campus police," Kuprevich said last night. "[Sofi's] went and hooked up with the Lea Elementary School [at 47th and Locust streets]," he said. "We gave the plaque to Sofi's because it was the first year that they fully came on board with us." Nearly 40 area children participated in the program, which was held three times a week from July 12 to August 20, Kuprevich said. "There were always officers with the kids," he said. "It might have been going to play ball or going to swim. And it might have been talking about public safety and safety in the neighborhood." Kuprevich added that the program and many of the day-to-day activities were officer-initiated. University Police officers Mark Grimes and Tammy Watson founded the program two years ago and have been responsible for keeping it going. "This year both of those officers were involved again, and many of other officers joined in," Kuprevich said. He added that the continued success of the Penn-Lea Athletic Program can be attributed to the increased involvement of police officers and the return of many of the original 40 students in the program. The other participating establishments were also recognized by University Police, Kuprevich said.