– credit Warren Tavern, via FacebookIt takes guts, experience, and community connections to be a ‘beat cop’—not the sort of environment where you’d expect to see a senior club.
“Walk the Beat” was the brilliant, and likely life-saving idea cooked up by the Boston Police Department during COVID-19 to keep seniors active, engaged, and safe.
Police officers escort groups from the Charlestown police station on a walk around the city. Other times they organize yoga classes or exercise programs.
“Coming out of COVID, we wanted to come up with an idea to get our seniors out in a safe environment,” Boston Police Sgt. Geno Provenzano told CBS Boston.
The program now includes dozens of women and some men all over the age of 55. They meet Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., and whether it’s Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox or Provenzano on the beat with them, the consensus is clear: they make for a lively bunch.
The police officers make conversation, guarantee expedient road crossings, and drive any stragglers back home in their squad cars if they can’t carry on.
MORE POLICE-LED COMMUNITY SERVICE: Police Officers Surprise 911 Caller with a Chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ – (WATCH)
“It’s been fabulous. It’s been the best thing I’ve ever did for myself, because I was one that would stick in the house and not move,” said 89-year-old Barbara. “It gets me out because all my friends have passed, gets me with a new group.”
The program is free to join and runs in multiple neighborhoods. Anyone interested need only call the most local district community service officer.
WATCH the seniors walk the beat below…
SHARE This Great Service From The Boston PD With Your Friends From The City…
Source link