DePalma Honored for Extended Dedication to Youth

For years, Southington Police Lt. Lowell DePalma has stood out in the community as a hands-on volunteer in providing opportunities and education for Southington youth.

Now STEPS, the Southington Town-wide Effort to Promote Success, is taking a moment to recognize his dedication to making the town a safer, better place for the communities children.

The organization this week honored DePalma with a plaque and special "thank you" for DePalma's role in helping to form STEPS and in serving as a member of the advisory board and executive committee over the last four years.

DePalma, the former public information officer for the Southington Police Department prior to his promotion in 2012, has also spent the last decade as an adviser to the Police Explorers program and helped host youth education sessions throughout schools and the community as a whole.

"Lowell was a founding member of STEPS and helped create our organization that will be forever part of our community," STEPS Youth Coordinator Kelly Leppard said in a message on the STEPS website.

"Lowell played a huge role creating a partnership between STEPS and the Southington Police Department and took the lead on the Merchant Education Program, Party Patrol, Compliance Checks, and undercover operations," she said.

DePalma said in an interview in 2012 that his dedication comes from being a resident in the community and having seen his own kids grow. He said setting a good example and providing opportunity for youth is essential in helping kids grow into positive, upstanding citizens.

"Thank you Lowell for your time, dedication, and passion for STEPS and our community," Leppard said. "Thank you for helping Southington be a great place to grow kids!"

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