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Eugene-Springfield New Car Dealers, which is now approaching 100,000 miles, and a retired Eugene <br />Police van that already has been driven more than 112,000 miles. <br /> <br />The hand-me-down vehicle is a <br />retired police sergeant's car that, <br />with its comparatively low mileage, <br />is expected to give years of service <br />to the Senior Patrol Team. The <br />blue Ford Crown Victoria has been <br />outfitted with an amber light bar <br />and prominent "EPD Volunteer" <br />decals. The team is excited about <br />the new vehicle as it will permit <br />three teams to be on duty at <br />overlapping times. It also will <br />accommodate passengers, making <br />training of new members easier. <br /> <br />The Senior Patrol is a component of the Eugene Police Department's Volunteers In Policing Program, <br />which partners citizens and police to better serve the community. Team members function as an <br />auxiliary unit of the Eugene Police Department by assisting with crime prevention and community <br />policing efforts. Except in very limited circumstances, Senior Patrollers do not take enforcement action. <br />These volunteers provide a highly visible presence as they observe and report suspicious activity, patrol <br />bike paths and streets, conduct home vacation checks, and assist sworn officers with nonhazardous <br />duties. Working in pairs, they drive specially marked, readily identifiable police vehicles. They wear <br />uniforms that identify them as police volunteers and, for their safety, are equipped with police radios. In <br />addition to their general patrol duties, some Senior Patrol members focus on projects such as finding <br />stolen vehicles, looking for disabled parking violations, or helping residents catalogue their property in <br />case of a burglary. <br /> <br />In 2006 Senior Patrol team members volunteered 4,278 hours, valued at more than $77,000 (based on a <br />calculation involving the national average wage), to serve the community. Retirees aged 50+ who are <br />interested in joining the Senior Patrol program are encouraged to apply. For more information, please <br />contact the Volunteers In Policing Program Coordinator, Carrie Chouinard, at 682-5355, or Senior Patrol <br />Coordinator Debbie Janecek at 682-5642. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3 <br />August 9, 2007 <br />