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Oakland issues several proclamations and honors police with Patriot Award
Summary
The Town of Oakland Commission issued proclamations recognizing National Police Week, Teacher Appreciation Week, Arbor Day and World Migratory Bird Day, and ESGR volunteer Zena Portway presented a Patriot Award recognizing Oakland Police Department support for service members.
Zena Portway, a volunteer with Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), presented a Patriot Award to the Oakland Police Department at the Town of Oakland Commission meeting on April 22, 2025. Portway read a nomination praising Lieutenant Renee Castro, Deputy Chief Michael Bryant and Chief Eason for "welcoming me back like I never left" and for supporting military obligations and careers.
Mayor Shane Taylor then read a series of ceremonial proclamations. He designated May 12–18, 2025, as National Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in Oakland, citing the 1962 presidential proclamation and calling on citizens to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement. Taylor also proclaimed May 6, 2025, as Teacher Appreciation Day and May 5–9, 2025 as Teacher Appreciation Week in recognition of Oakland Avenue Charter School teachers' work. The mayor read a proclamation declaring April 25, 2025 as National Arbor Day and May 10, 2025 as World Migratory Bird Day for the town, noting local partnerships with the Oakland Nature Preserve and the Orange Audubon Society.
Portway described ESGR’s work as a Department of Defense program that "provides support to employers and service members" and conducts Patriot Award presentations, unit briefings, education on USERRA laws and mediation when needed. Police leadership and commissioners accepted the award and took a group photograph following the presentations.
The meeting record indicates the proclamations were ceremonial and no formal policy actions were taken as part of the presentations. The town will include related event information and partnerships in its upcoming communications and outreach.
