The Board of St. Andrews Towers in Coral Springs recently recognized Officer Paul Kempinski for his dedication and service to the citizens of the city. It also presented a check for $350 to the Coral Springs Fraternal Order of Police.

Kempinski was shot in the line of duty this past May during an armed robbery pursuit. Thus far, he has made a wonderful recovery.

“The residents at St. Andrews Towers are great and I’ve had the pleasure of working with them at sometimes the best and worst of times, including a large fire last year,” Kempinski said. “Thank you for your generosity. I don’t have words enough to thank you.”

In another development, city commissioners proclaimed September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. During this month, the city wants to remind residents that recovery is possible. Officials also commended those who have faced these struggles and succeeded, and encouraged others to start treatment.

“One of the things that we find in the criminal justice system is that so many problems can be attributed to a drug and alcohol problem and if we can get the folks the necessary help, we know that, many times, they’re not going to end up in the criminal justice system," police chief Duncan Foster said. "Our prisons are full of people that have problems with narcotics and it really does start prior to entering the criminal justice system, so I think this is important and it will go a long way for our community.”