Community Policing Efforts Get Their Reward : Law enforcement: Police officials, civic leaders and citizen activists are honored for their efforts to build communication and trust in troubled neighborhoods.

Police officials and civic group leaders from across Orange County gathered Monday to honor community policing programs that have made positive inroads in cities such as Santa Ana, Garden Grove and Westminster.

The honorees at the second annual Orange County Together Community Policing Awards included police chiefs and parent-teacher groups, citizen activists and rank-and-file officers who have used the law enforcement philosophy to build bridges within troubled neighborhoods.

“This is like the Academy Awards for community policing,” said Pat Callahan, executive director of Orange County Together, a group created in 1992 to promote cross-cultural dialogue and foster community communication.

The awards breakfast at the Disneyland Hotel drew more than 300 people from 23 cities. A $1,000 donation was made to the programs and groups of each of the 10 winners in seven categories.

The award recipients were:

* The Minnie-Standard coalition in Santa Ana, which was co-winner of the Partnership Award. The combined efforts of Santa Ana police, The Cambodian Family Inc. and the Orange County Community Congregation Organization, along with school and resident groups, were praised for improving the quality of life in the densely populated Minnie Street neighborhood.

Two officers are assigned full-time to a storefront sub-station opened in the area three months ago, and their frequent patrols have improved police-community relations. “This award is for a team effort, a great team effort,” Santa Ana Police Lt. Chuck Magdalena said.

* A Brea and Yorba Linda program aimed at curbing youth alcohol problems, which shared the Partnership Award. Police and the city councils and chambers of commerce from both communities combined efforts with the Brea-Olinda and Placentia-Yorba Linda school districts and parent-teacher groups to block the availability of alcohol to area youngsters. Business owners also cooperated.

* The Westminster Police Department, which received the Community Policing Problem Solving Award for cracking down on violent crime in the downtown shopping district. The department’s efforts included creating a Citizen’s Academy, community advisory councils and an education program tailored to the Little Saigon community.

* Three Santa Ana police officers, who were praised as this year’s Distinguished Community Policing Team for their work in the 3rd Street area, a neighborhood plagued by violent gang activity. Sgt. Dan Carr, Officer John Hibbison and Officer Joe Garbett, a group called “the Dream Team” by one local resident, were cited for their dedication to improving life in the area with tactics as varied as gang member identification and organizing Easter parties.

* Huntington Beach Police Chief Ronald E. Lowenberg and Costa Mesa resident Maria Alvarez, who shared the Leadership Award. Lowenberg was praised for progressive leadership during his six years as chief, and for new programs such as a mobile substation and a school liaison unit. Alvarez was cited for rallying her neighbors to combat crime and improve living conditions at their apartment complex.

* The Garden Grove Police Department and Chief Stanley L. Knee, who received the Community Outreach Award for making a commitment throughout the department to community policing, instead of merely dedicating a specialized unit. The judges cited the department’s creation of a Chief’s Forum and an open house to foster communication with the public; the Halloween Parent Education Fair and community task forces were also praised.

* The Westside Senior Volunteer Team of the Costa Mesa police, which received the Education Award. The 12-member team was noted for service contributions--such as directing traffic, data entry and bicycle licensing--that free up sworn officers for patrol.

* Manuel Ontiveros, 21, of Anaheim, who received the Distinguished Youth Award for his work at the local Independencia Community Center. Ontiveros helped create a community forum program to combat gangs and serves as the youngest-ever chairman of the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission.

* Ten police officers, who were recognized with a special award for their assistance with the Fountain Valley DARE program. The officers volunteered their time to fill in for the program’s coordinator when he became seriously ill, ensuring the community’s 350 youngsters had access to the anti-drug use program.

The officers and their departments: Jim Allard of Huntington Beach, Joel Aragon of La Habra, Eric Bianchi of Irvine, Joan DuPuis of Orange, Andy Halpin of Newport Beach, Eric Halverson of Fullerton, Mike Kelly of Huntington Beach, Cindy Knapp of La Habra, John Reed of Santa Ana and Ed Walsh of Newport Beach.