DUIMADD President Glynn Birth Applauds Delaware Enforcement
By Ben Penserga Daily Times Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- It took almost 20 years, but Glynn Birch
finally has the chance to say thank you.
In 1988, Birch's young son Courtney was walking across the street to get ice cream when he was struck by a drunken driver going 70 mph. The boy -- three months shy of his second birthday -- was dragged 150 feet before the car stopped and was killed instantly.
In the following months, Glynn Birch's local Mothers Against Drunk Driving helped him through the grieving process up until the driver, who had a blood-alcohol level of .26 and had three prior drunken-driving convictions, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
But throughout the entire process, Birch never got to acknowledge the police officers who responded to the scene on May 3, 1988, and helped prosecute the case -- until Friday at the MADD Ribbon Kickoff and Law Enforcement Recognition Breakfast.
"I think back to all the missed opportunities to thank law enforcement," said Birch, who was recently selected as the first-ever male MADD president. "But I'm getting that chance now."
Birch told the crowd of police and prosecutors at the Fountains Weddings and Conference Center in Salisbury that one of the advocate group's main goals is strengthening ties with law enforcement.
And hosting an event that recognizes law enforcement officials from all nine counties on the Eastern Shore goes toward that, said David Elzey, victim advocate for MADD's Eastern Shore chapter.
"It's to show our appreciation for police getting drunken drivers off the road," he said. "It also means a lot to the victims that have been helped by (police) over the years."
Friday's event also serves as the beginning of their holiday ribbon program that urges motorists to tie the MADD ribbon to their vehicles as a pledge to be safe on the roadways and especially to buckle up.
Birch urged police to keep up their high level of vigilance.
"Please continue the work because it is making a difference," he said.
Anyone interested in participating in MADD's ribbon campaign should call 410-742-6233.
Reach Ben Penserga at 410-845-4648 or bpenserga@salisbury.gannett.com.
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