Sun City Posse remains unwavering in service, support

The multitude of tests we have faced as individuals, as a state and as a nation seem almost crushing in the face of COVID-19. But there is, within each of us, an inner helix of hope that the future will resemble our pre-pandemic past.

As we ponder the future, we know that one agency, the Sun City Posse, has remained unwavering in its commitment to be there for us. The pandemic has raged for months, but the Posse is an ever presence in our lives.

During this time we have continued to patrol our neighborhoods and businesses; provide Vacation Watch and welfare checks. We have been there to support the Sun City Fire Department and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. When they called, we answered.

We’ve recently changed the name of our Resident Emergency Contact Information program. It is now called the Posse Emergency Contact program. The PEC is available for residents to update their contact information for emergency purposes.

Emergencies can range from friends and family members concerned about your welfare, to an unlocked door, newspapers piling up and other signs of potential distress at your property. Residents who choose to participate can provide a key holder and an emergency contact so that the Posse can be more effective at making you feel safe.

“This is important information that the Posse uses to safeguard you in the case of welfare checks, open garage doors and more,” Cmdr. Rich Nonini said. “This information is only used by the Posse for your safety and nothing else.”

We also are in the process of replacing our analog radios with new digital ones. This will reduce the number of areas in which transmission is difficult and establish our radio communication support over the next decade, Mr. Nonini added.

The upgrades to our infrastructure don’t stop there. We upgraded our website to offer additional ways to submit data to the Posse.

Although it has been a busy summer, with the threat of COVID-19 hanging all around us, we also have been mindful of the scorching heat that has seared Sun City for weeks now. Last year, Arizona heat killed 155 people in Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Association of Governments partnered with municipalities and faith-based communities to coordinate the Heath Relief Network, which helps provide resources to those in need. For tips on how to stay safe, visit their website at azmag.gov/heatrelief.

Taking the heat in stride, our Posse volunteers have been diligent in keeping themselves hydrated and safe because they know that if they are not safe, then neither are our residents. So while on patrol they not only drink lots of water, but they also are watching those energetic folks who take walks or ride their bikes regardless of what the thermometer shows.  We make certain those robust folks are safe during their time of exercise.

Although we are doing our part, for more information on how to avoid heat-related illnesses, go to the Arizona Department of Health Services website at azdhs.gov.

But there is more. We also are looking to the future and hoping to conduct a shred-a-thon this fall, something we have done for years. More on that later.

So, we recognize that it has been a busy nine months for our volunteers, but our mission is to keep Sun City safe and we take our missions seriously.

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