Volunteers valuable asset to MPD

In the midst of the city’s budget woes, some Maricopa citizens have stood up and have literally taken the law into their own hands.

Since February, the Maricopa Police Department’s volunteer program has grown from 12 to more than 60 members.

Volunteers are involved with a wide range of duties designed to take some of the workload off police officers.

“Where we may be lacking in an area due to budget restraints, we have been able to call on the citizens of our community to come in and they have gladly picked up the slack,” said Sgt. Hal Koozer, who oversees the volunteers.

One of the programs offered to volunteers is the Victims Assistance Program.

“We provide assistance to people on the worst day of their lives,” said LizBeth J. Cone, a volunteer who is the VAPS coordinator.

Cone became coordinator in July to replace Gerald Good, who died of cancer.

“It’s big shoes to fill,” Cone said. “I feel a real sense of responsibility to take over this program because he started it.”

Koozer said, “We didn’t really replace Gerry, we’re carrying on what Gerry started.”

The volunteers in the VAPS program work 12-hour shifts so one person is always on call. Some volunteers can work up to three shifts a week while still holding a full-time job.

“We have a dedicated group,” Cone said. “You look at the number of hours that we all put in, and that’s quite a savings for the city. The last time I checked on the value of volunteering in the state of Arizona, (the state) placed that number in 2009 at $20.83 per hour per volunteer. And that’s the whole range of people, from people who plant flowers to doctors who volunteer assistance.”

Koozer agreed. “These volunteers save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Members of VAPS assist in car accidents by being sent directly to the scene of the accident. Sometimes the victim is taken away by ambulance, but family may remain at the scene. The volunteers will help gather the family and drive them to the hospital or take them home. When they arrive, the volunteers may help the family deal with the crisis.

Other responsibilities of VAPS include informing a citizen when a loved one has died and helping people deal with crimes such as burglaries.

“We do go out on domestic violence calls,” Cone said. “That’s something that I am starting to focus on right now because October is Domestic Violence Month.”

Citizens on Patrol is another program in which volunteers participate. It is managed by Volunteer of the Year Terry Clark and is one of the largest volunteer programs in the department.