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Opinion

Graettinger: Residents can get a preview of Sun City Posse work

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The Sun City Posse’s Citizen’s Observer program is a cool and exciting way to get to know what it is like to patrol the streets of our community.

Are you interested?

Simply call the Sun City Posse and you will be connected with Lt. John Gerlach, our Citizen Observer’s assignment officer, who soon will have you on patrol with one of our members. Of course, you will have to sign a liability waver, just as a precaution.

Several years ago, I was one of those ride-along people and I was not disappointed. I had read articles about the Posse in The Independent newspaper and, of course, I was familiar with the brown and black cars that patrolled the streets. But I didn’t have a clue as to the intricacies of the group or how important the Posse truly is.

Of course, when I asked to go on a ride along, it was summer and it was cooked egg on the sidewalk hot; our Vacation Watch program was in full swing.

I joined then Sgt. Dave Miller, who has since moved up the ranks and is now our commander. But back then, he was just another patrol person determined to get the job right.

I figured I’d spend maybe an hour on patrol and then bail out. But I found it fascinating and talking with Dave was a bonus. That is also when I learned that our Vacation Watch program is not just simply driving around Sun City and looking at vacant houses. I was truly surprised when we stopped at the first house and I watched Dave conduct a thorough search of the property. He checked all of the doors to make sure they were locked. He picked up flyers and newspaper and threw them in the trash. He walked around the property checking windows. He was not only looking for evidence of a break in, but also potential water leaks.

That was an important day for me because I learned that the Posse truly is an integral part of the wellbeing of Sun City.

Of course, the safety of the those who choose to ride along is of upmost importance to us. So, in the event of an emergency, medical or otherwise, you will be asked to remain in the car. In addition, during the Vacation Watch patrol, the participant cannot join in the walk around the property. This is just our way of keeping you safe. So now that you have decided to tough out the hot summer of Arizona and remain here, kick-start this summer with a ride-along with the Sun City Posse. Another important consideration, you set the time line. If you want to remain on patrol an hour or four hours, it is all up to you.

Call the Posse at 623-972-2555.

So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, throw off the smothering blanket of a boring summer and, like me, get into a patrol car. When you are done, you are given automatic bragging rights over a cold beer in your air-conditioned house. Your friends will be jealous.

Editor’s Note: Diana Graettinger is Sun City Posse public information officer.