Tom! You want me to talk about my favorite subject? ?;D ;D ;D
I do the obvious job, for a Police Department, the one you see and expect. I work the parks and "Greenbelt." I patrol in uniform, in a marked golf cart, beefed up for police work. (They take a beating!) ?I watch for safety issues, river hazards, little kids that fall down and need a bandage on their knee, lost children - or lost parents - yep, sometimes we have the kid, and are looking for mommy! Well, and I watch for bad guys. I also do plain clothes assignments. That is watching an area or a subject, and reporting when there is something to report. (For funny - The only time I go unarmed, is when I am on duty with the Polce Department. Go figure!) (I do have my reasons.)
The patrol job is the glory job, but it's a minor part of the volunteer force. We are the ones people see. Volunteers take minor crime reports over the phone. They work in every "behind the scene" department, and do every kind of job, there. They work in the crime lab. They work as advisors. (We have doctors, lawyers, you name it. And some volunteers shred paper and straighten out the files.) They work in outreach programs - finger printing kids for emergency ID - traffic control for civic events - Show and tell at the Mall, with McGruff the crime dog, or anyplace the department wants a public face. Some drive police cars to and from the repair shops, for maintenance and/or repairs. Some put out and/or move the Radar "signs," small trailers parked beside the road, that show drivers their speed, in traffic.
Every walk of life contributes, from professionals to you name it. For a time, we had a Deputy Attorney General doing volunteer patrol, with me. I asked him "why?" After all, he got to deal with the "big stuff, at the State House!" He said he did it for relief. "Helping someone find the nearest toilet and knowing that that is part of police work, too, finishes off the "big picture." He felt that a few hours, there, volunteering, wiped out all the sweat of the intense stuff he did for a living.
Every job that any business has, to keep it going from day to day, the PD has also. All the little stuff has to be done, to keep the big stuff moving. I should note that every public service organization has the same issues. Most of them, around here, use volunteers to help get it all done. Pick an organization that does something you like, and go ask for a job. You'll get it!
For a taste of what I do, imagine that I drive my golf cart through the woods, along the river watching the wildlife, birds - deer - otters - squirrels, out into the parks for major events, and take it all in. Hard to call that work! And, yes, from time to time, it gets very exciting. I have a hundred "exciting" stories, and have to share. I'll limit it to one.
STUPID CROOK STORY:
I was just about done in by the bitter cold, one freezing January, Saturday afternoon, two years ago. Decided to stop at a convenience store for a cup of coffee to warm me up as I drove along. I am required to keep my car in view, at all times, so parked crosswise, next to the front entrance. Pretty hard to miss, there. Got my coffee, walked up to the counter to pay, and was digging my change out of my pocket when - - - -.
One of the clerks restocking a shelf screamed, and ran at me from five feet away. She grabbed me, spilled my coffee - I wasn't prepared for this, at all! Pandemonium!
"That man" she screamed, pointing, "He has a big knife! He said he is going to kill me! He grabbed me! Help! Help us"
Then, another clerk came running from the back of the store! She's screaming! She grabs my other arm!
I am puzzled! I'd like to leave, now! I don't understand this, at all! I don't really want that coffee! Would running be OK?
How could that idiot walk past my police car, clearly marked on both sides and both ends, walk in here and see me in uniform with POLICE - VOLUNTEER in large letters, front and back, to rob the place? ? ??? It just didn't make sense!
That's when it hit me! HEY! RAY! You are supposed to do something about this! Felt like I was in a Salvadore Dali movie!
"Ladies, let go of my arms. I need to use my Radio!" My mind had started working!
Didn't want to have a long discussion with dispatch, about where I was, who was I? What does the guy look like blah, blah, blah! Needed help. They would want to keep me on the air. Might not be able to get more than a few words out! Knew a Ranger was not too far away. I keyed him.
"Jake! I'm at the Jackson's, Capitol and Front. Armed Robbery in progress, now. I'm inside, and staying here. OUT" Took only a few seconds.
"Copy Ray! Hang in there! Switching to Dispatch." He knew everything he needed to know.
I played cat and mouse with the BG. I wasn't armed, but he didn't know that. I gave him room to escape, and he took it, as the sirens began starting up in the distance - and getting louder. It was an "Officer Needs Help" call. We nailed him, minutes later!
Oh, the coffee. They gave it to me, gratis. I wasn't cold anymore, either! Went back to the substation to settle down. Took a while.
How's that for a "Stupid Crook" story, John?
Ray D
I still work part time from our motor home while my wife does some volunteer work (mostly at libraries) and we just enjoy the many places we get to visit during the year. Most of our retired friends are busier now than they ever were when working. There is more time for hobbies and those can consume enormous amounts of time. Volunteering is another popular way to stay active. Camp hosting is another popular way to not only keep busy but earn either money or free camping or both.
