Highland Village Named Finalist for NLC’s 2009 Awards for Municipal Excellence

The National League of Cities (NLC) and CH2M HILL announce that Highland Village was chosen as a finalist for the 2009 Awards for Municipal Excellence. Sponsored with CH2M HILL, the Awards for Municipal Excellence recognize cities and towns for outstanding programs which improve the quality of life in America’s communities.

“Highland Village’s Police Involving Parents (PIP) program truly embodies the spirit in which America’s cities excel and welcome the future,” said Donald J. Borut, NLC Executive Director. “NLC congratulates Highland Village for its successful efforts to help the community thrive.”

NLC received 192 nominations from cities and towns in 39 states. Highland Village was one of 34 programs selected as finalists.  The finalists exhibited exceptional public-private partnerships, productive citizen and community collaborations, management of municipal resources, implementation of government policies, project implementation with tangible results, and/or the ability to replicate the project in other cities. 

The Highland Village Police Department “Police Involving Parents” or “PIP” program actively involves teens, parents and police in the identification of “less than strict enforcement” resolutions to minor youth infractions including: minor traffic, criminal mischief, curfew, and use of alcohol and tobacco related violations. 

Since its inception in 2004, this “non-traditional” approach to policing has afforded more than 500 youth in our community a “second chance” to avoid long-term blemishes on their records that may have otherwise hindered their chances for university or job opportunities. 

For our department, the PIP program has dramatically improved the police/youth relationship in our community as well as allowing us to refocus our energy away from issues that are now being resolved within the family structure.

“We applaud the work of these municipal leaders for exploring and implementing ways to better their communities,” said CH2M HILL CEO Lee McIntire. “Highland Village has followed a path of innovation, focusing on a sustainable life for all citizens.”

The winners of the 2009 Awards for Municipal Excellence will be announced at a luncheon during NLC’s Congress of Cities and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas on November 13th.

NLC partnered with CH2M HILL in 1989 to create the James C. Howland Awards for Urban Enrichment, named in honor of CH2M HILL’s founding partner and first chief executive officer.  The program was renamed the Awards for Municipal Excellence in 2005.  Now in its 20th year, the program continues the tradition of prestigious recognition.  More information about the Awards for Municipal Excellence can be found on the NLC website at www.nlc.org/ame.aspx.

The National League of Cities is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.