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Woodbury honors Uber driver who stopped a scam and accepts donated canine vests for K-9 unit
Summary
The City of Woodbury recognized George Frambo with a Public Safety Community Member Merit Award for preventing an $20,000 scam on Dec. 23, 2024, and city officials accepted two ballistic canine vests donated by the Woodbury Police Canine Fund; vests cost about $3,500 each and weigh roughly 1.5 pounds.
The City Council presented the Woodbury Public Safety Community Member Merit Award on April 16 to George Frambo, an Uber driver who intervened on Dec. 23, 2024 to prevent an 84-year-old resident from being scammed out of $20,000, and city officials accepted two protective canine vests donated by the Woodbury Police Canine Fund.
Public-safety recognition: Jason Pozel, Woodbury Director of Public Safety, described Frambo’s actions: he picked up an 84-year-old woman who was being instructed by a caller to withdraw cash; Frambo returned the woman to her senior living complex, contacted police and ensured officers could intervene so the woman did not lose money. Pozel said Frambo’s “quick thinking and attention to detail” prevented the loss and the department honored him with the Community Member Merit Award.
Frambo spoke briefly at the meeting and urged better front-line training at senior living facilities; he described difficulty getting immediate help from staff when he first sought assistance and recommended enhanced staff education on scam recognition.
K-9 vests donation: The council also accepted two custom canine protective vests purchased by the Woodbury Police Canine Fund. Director Pozel described the vests as custom-made by a Canadian company, Canine Storm, costing just over $3,500 each and weighing about 1.5 pounds to allow dogs to wear them without fatigue; the vests include Kevlar ballistic protection and cover chest and belly areas. Officers at the meeting noted the newer vests are substantially lighter than older models that weighed about 8–10 pounds.
Handlers and canines present: Officer Robert Bowling introduced his German shepherd Echo, who wore a new vest at the meeting; Officer Emily introduced K-9 Kane. Bob Bixby, president of the Woodbury Police Canine Fund, and other volunteers explained fundraising events that support equipment and dog purchases; staff said a third canine is expected in June with canine school in August.
Taper: Mayor and council members thanked Frambo, the canine fund volunteers and department handlers; organizers encouraged community support for upcoming canine-fund events and public education about scams directed at older residents.
