Buda Police Foundation created to support local Law Enforcement

Staff Reports

BUDA – For the past two years a group of concerned citizens in Buda has worked to create a non-profit 501c3 organization that is a tax exempt vehicle to support police officers outside of the city budget.

The purpose of the Buda Police Foundation is to promote and reinforce public safety efforts by strengthening partnerships between the community and the Buda Police Department in order to enhance and maintain the quality of life in the City of Buda.

The Foundation was organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The creation of the Foundation was presented to the City of Buda Council members and was given unanimous approval as well as an endorsement by Police Chief Bo Kidd.

The Buda Police Foundation has developed a website and named a board of directors. Sandra Bryant is Chairperson.  Other board members include LaVonia Horne-Williams, Secretary; Tiffaney Robinson, Treasurer; Rev. David Sweet, Pastoral Relations; and Linda Burton, Member-at-Large. Freddy Erdman, Community Affairs Officer for the Buda Police Department is the police liaison.

Former mayor of Buda, Bobby Lane served as Chair during the Foundation’s development. All members of the recently graduated Citizen’s Police Academy are automatically members of the Foundation for one year.

Sandra Bryant is well known in Buda for her community work and as a former Hays CISD trustee. She has a master’s degree in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family from Liberty University; bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University; and an associate’s degree in Law Enforcement from Austin Community College. As a founding member of the Foundation, Ms Bryant said she became involved because “I believe in working to build a strong community and our police department makes such a difference.”

The Buda Police Foundation can accept donations, individual memberships and business memberships that will provide funds for essential, non-budget expenditures. In addition, the Foundation is developing programs that will support youth, older people and community policing efforts.

Members can also volunteer to help with the work of the Buda Police Foundation to strengthen community relations and build strong partnerships. More information is available at budapolicefoundation.org.