Revived Shields to aid county law enforcement

Possible warehouse or cooling facility

By Zoey McGee | Manor Ink

Monticello, NY – The Sullivan County Shields is a law enforcement fraternal association made up of the county’s active and retired law enforcement officers and their supporters. It is a nonprofit association that honors police officers who have performed heroic acts, and assists law enforcement agencies when needed while granting scholarships to students who hope to pursue a career in law enforcement.  

The county’s Shields, established in 1989, had unfortunately been inactive until recently. But Peter Chiavaro, Shields’ new president, told the Ink about the group’s revitalization and its plans for the future.  

“In April, I was voted in as president, and one of the first things I did was restructure the association,” Chiavaro said. Due to Shields being inactive for an extended period, the organization lost its nonprofit status. “So in April and May, I applied to become a nonprofit organization again with the IRS and state governments, and I just got the approvals in June,” said Chiavaro.

Now Shields is once again a nonprofit association and is moving on with plans for the future. On Saturday, July 22, the organization is holding a fishing contest at Morningside Park in Hurleyville, from 6 to 11 a.m. “We’ll be there for a good five hours, so we’re hoping we have a good turnout,” Chiavaro said. Funds raised will benefit Shields programs, and winners will receive prizes.

Other planned or proposed fundraisers for the year include a beer-and-cigar night; a sportsman raffle with over a dozen prizes donated by Sullivan County businesses; a motorcycle-and-poker run where whoever has the highest poker hand after a tour of eateries will receive a prize; a “basket of cheer” where baskets of various beverages will be raffled off; and a holiday party.

Chiavaro said that all the money earned from these fundraisers will be used for worthy causes. “Funds will go for law enforcement officers who may have died or have been hurt in the line of duty, or to their families, or if there is anyone in high school who wants to go to college for law enforcement, then we give scholarships,” he explained.

“I just want to make clear that law enforcement isn’t just police officers. It’s the Department of Corrections, it’s constables, it is anyone who has peace officer status or badge,” Chiavaro said. 

Shields currently has around 30 active members, but is seeking more. Throughout July they will be holding a membership drive, and members were asked to find people interested in joining the organization. 

Those interested in joining Sullivan County Shields can email SullivanCountyShields@yahoo.com or visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SullCntyShields.