The public is being asked to help staff two areas of the St. Joseph Police Department that relies on volunteers.
According to Sgt. Greg Gilpin volunteers are being sought to fill roles as lobby assistants at police headquarters and to aid in the city’s Trail Watch Program.
“They certainly help to supplement the things we do here,” Gilpin said. “We like to get the people involved and get them so we know them and they know us and if people have questions about about the department they have the answers.”
Gilpin said volunteers are needed to help staff the lobby during the work week.
“When visitors come into the law enforcement center they can help direct them where they need to go and answer phones, there could be some data entry but we have most of that covered,” Gilpin said.
The police department also plans to kick off its Trail Watch Program that depends on trained volunteers to patrol the hike and bike trails throughout the city.
“I have a pretty good group there but I’m always interested in anybody who wants to do that,” Gilpin said. “Basically they’re just an extra set of eyes and ears for the department.”
Gilpin said the Trail Watch Program is kicking off its 10th year this spring.
“We started it in 2005 and we’ve have quite a few volunteers through the years,” Gilpin said. “They go out and ride the golf carts on the trails and if they see something that doesn’t look right they call that into the comm center and we send the regular officers. They routinely pick up trash, they look for any vandalism to city property, or if a tree falls over the trail after a storm they call that in and we get that taken care of.”
Gilpin said he is looking for volunteers that are 21 or over for the trail program but if someone under 21 is interested in helping staff the lobby Gilpin said he would consider it. Background checks are also conducted.
Anyone interested is asked to contact Sgt. Greg Gilpin at (816) 236-1473