You may have already noticed them patrolling local parks, parking lots, performing speed checks and other various tasks throughout the city of Monroe.
The Monroe Police Department's new senior volunteer program, implemented in September, employs four volunteers who work in teams of two. Assigned a weekly patrol shift, the volunteers have already accomplished numerous administrative and other important tasks while freeing up officers to respond to calls.
The program has been the result of a collaborative effort between the Monroe Police Department and the East County Senior Center.
"I'm really thrilled about it,GÇ¥ said East County Senior Center Director Marc Avni. "It's an opportunity to do something really useful for the community and build good relationships with the police department at the same time.GÇ¥
Sgt. Paul Ryan is managing the program from the law enforcement side. He provided the volunteers with several task-specific training sessions over the summer. Additionally, the volunteer teams have been attending the Monroe Police Department's citizen's academy, an intensive 11-week course that offers the general public an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of law enforcement practices and procedures.
"The goal of the program is to have teams that can go out and be independent and handle tasks that police officers don't necessarily have time for,GÇ¥ Ryan said.
Thus far, two teams have completed training and are being deployed one day per week. Jim and Betty Bowman of Monroe work every Tuesday, while Bob Critser and Judy Bjorklund, who both live in Sultan, work each Thursday. The volunteers patrol parks, parking lots and other areas of the city in a department issued minivan. Additionally, they tend to other tasks as assigned by the police department.
Jim and Betty have had the opportunity to travel to the Snohomish County Superior Courthouse, located in downtown Everett.
"I actually had them run a search warrant over to superior court last week, which was a big help because there's some time requirements on search warrant filings,GÇ¥ Ryan explained. "On that specific shift we were just having a hard time finding an officer to do it, and thankfully, Mrs. Bowman here, actually worked at the district court so she knew a little bit about how to get around a courthouse.GÇ¥
Jim and Betty Bowman, Critser and Bjorklund all expressed that they enjoy the opportunity to be of service to both law enforcement and the city of Monroe. While they have enjoyed all aspects of their volunteer work thus far, Jim shared that some tasks are more fun than others.
"One of the most interesting things they have us do sometimes is radar speed checks,GÇ¥ he said. "They may have an area that has been reported to be a problem and we'll take the radar gun, when it's available, and stand out there.GÇ¥
The department has assigned the volunteers to perform speed analysis in school zones and other trouble-prone areas brought to the department's attention via concerned citizens. Jim explained that working as a team, they use the radar equipment to determine the speed of the vehicles, record the data, and then compile the information and submit it to the department for further review.
They also monitor handicapped parking spaces at shopping centers and various apartment complexes around the city to ensure that the spaces are being utilized by citizens with a valid permit. While not authorized to give tickets, the teams are able to issue warnings.
Each team has a department-issued cell phone that provides them with a direct link to the on-duty sergeant. If the team sees anything suspicious or encounters any type of criminal behavior, it will immediately contact the department.
Monroe Police Department Administrative Director Debbie Willis said that the teams have already proven to be an asset to the department.
"It gives the police department another resource when we have community events and things where we need some extra hands,GÇ¥ Willis said. "They have orange vests GÇô they're very visible when they're out and about GÇô and so it's very clear what they're doing and who they are.GÇ¥
The four volunteers come from diverse backgrounds. Bjorklund was a bus driver for the Sultan School District for 30 years, and served on Sultan's Community Emergency Response Team. Her friend and neighbor, Bob Critser, has previous experience volunteering for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Department.
Critser and Jim Bowman are both Veterans of the U.S. Military GÇô Critser served in the Air Force, and Bowman in the Army. Critser is the Adjutant officer of the Arthur Kincaid American Legion Post 58, which meets on a monthly basis in Monroe. He has served as an officer of the legion for 30 years.
Jim, a musician as well as a licensed amateur radio operator, plays guitar at the senior center, and visits the Monroe Correctional Complex twice a month representing the Union Gospel Mission. His wife Betty is retired after a career of working at the south district court in Lynnwood.
Both volunteer teams enjoy spending time at the senior center in Monroe. Bjorklund volunteers in food service at the center, helping out during lunches, pancake breakfasts and other special events.
So far, both teams are enjoying their work with the Monroe Police Department.
The patrols have been helping to establish an additional layer of public safety throughout the entire Monroe community. Sgt. Ryan hopes to grow the program and is interested in recruiting additional volunteers. Thus far, the volunteers accepted into the program have been involved with the East County Senior Center in Monroe, but that affiliation is not a requirement.
For further information on the Monroe Police Department Senior Volunteer Program, contact Sgt. Paul Ryan of the Monroe Police Department at 360-790-6300. Candidate eligibility is subject to a background check.
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