GBPD encourages seniors to volunteer
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Crane

Senior volunteer crime fighting programs have proven to be worth a worthwhile effort Gulf Breeze Police Department (GBPD) say and there are plans to expand their reach.

When volunteer John Crane approached a man entering a diabetic coma at the Naval Live Oaks park last year, he had no idea his quick action would earn him a prestigious recognition. Crane radioed in for help and paramedics arrived just in time to resuscitate the man.

"I'm a community man and I enjoy helping the community. I'm glad I'm able to be a part of the police department and their mission in life," Crane said.

Crane, who is apart of the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) program, was honored at this year's City of Gulf Breeze awards dinner May 23 as volunteer of the year for his efforts. Crane was also honored at the state Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) conference in Ocala, Fla. In April for completing 500 volunteer hours.

Exceptional volunteers like Crane are what have the GBPD officials looking to increase their responsibilities and expand their volunteer programs like VIPS and establish a new satellite office for Seniors Versus Crime.

"The VIPS have turned out to be a colossal help to us," said Deputy Police Chief Robert Randle. "Not only are they slowing traffic down but they're doing all sorts of other things.

Randle said the VIPS, a division of the USA Freedom Corps developed by President Bush in 2002, are involved in working security at special events, transporting police equipment, taking fingerprints and working traffic and marine patrols.

The success of the VIPS program has led to the inclusion of a new senior volunteer group called Seniors Versus Crime, also known as the Senior Sleuths program.

"This is another avenue seniors can utilize for help," said GBPD Sgt. Sharon Armstrong, coordinator of VIPS and Seniors Versus Crime. "[Area seniors] may need help with an issue that is of a civil nature and they don't know where to turn."

Senior Sleuths help elderly residents affected by unethical business and construction practices, acting as the eyes and ears of the state Attorney General's Office and local law enforcement by reporting on scams, high pressure sales techniques, false or misleading advertisements and any other deceptive or illegal activity that may come to their attention. There are currently 29 offices, dubbed storefronts, throughout the state of Florida where seniors can come for help.

"The Senior Sleuths program is well-known around the state and can serve as the Attorney General's eyes and ears, volunteer, or actively assist in consumer protection investigations," Florida's Attorney General Bill McCollum wrote on the Seniors Versus Crime website. "These crime fighters have been responsible for recovering nearly $5 million for seniors who were the victims of con artists."

Don Shopmyer is one of the program's sleuths that collects case information and then researches ways to recoup the affected citizen's money.

"It's very rewarding to know you've helped somebody," Shopmyer said. "We've taken some crook off the streets and gotten some restitution for the victim."

Judy Ertl, who runs the nearest storefront in Navarre, said the Gulf Breeze satellite office would be a crucial element in the program's effort to help seniors in need and would give GBPD officers another way to help victims handle civil matters.

"The seniors can't afford to lose any amount of money," Ertl said. "We can't always get their money back but most of the time we do. We have about an 80 percent success rate statewide."

For more information about these and other GBPD programs, contact them at 850-934- 5121 or 850-934-4050 after regular business hours. Seniors Versus Crime volunteers are available 1p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday Through Friday at the GBPD office located at 311 Fairpoint Drive, Gulf Breeze. Their office in Navarre can be reached at 850-939-4000.