State - Flushing Adding in a little SALT Volunteers fill in policing gaps in Genesee County

By David Harris The Flint Journal FLUSHING, Mich. (AP) -- Jerry Hudson patrols with the observant eye of a police officer. His eyes dart around, looking for anything that may be out of place or different from the last time he saw it. But Hudson, 72, of Flushing, is no police officer. He's part of the group Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT), which drives the streets of Flushing looking for parking violations or checking up on homes while people are away. It's part of the Flushing police department. SALT is one of several volunteer groups in Genesee County that do things that police officers are often too busy to do. The volunteers have training, wear uniforms and undergo background checks, but do not carry weapons and have no enforcement authority. The Genesee County sheriff's department also has several volunteer groups, which Sheriff Robert J. Pickell called "invaluable." They help with tasks such as vacation home checks, traffic control and assisting area churches. Pickell said his volunteer force numbers about 120. "You can't put a price tag on what they do," said Pickell. "They are not only loyal, but they are committed." One of those volunteers is Ralph Tedford, who heads up the Security in Ministry program through the sheriff's department. Tedford helped start the program with Arlee Mitchner more than 20 years ago. They guard 37 churches in the county, mostly in Flint, protecting them from crime. They walk people in and out of the church during services and look for brewing trouble during events such as food and clothing giveaways. "We train people how to protect themselves and the church," he said. "We keep track of everything that's going on as best as possible. We share information (with police)." Other sheriff's department volunteers handle complaints in a consumer protection division. They often act as a mediator between a consumer and a business, resolving disputes. Although they have no enforcement authority, the volunteers have helped in cases that led to arrests, Pickell said. "We are so overwhelmed with crime, I couldn't have a consumer protection unit without these volunteers," he said. Flushing Police Chief Mark Hoornstra said he doesn't see groups such as SALT as a money-saver for departments, but rather as a supplement. They help with traffic control and blocking roads during events and make more thorough home checks than police would be able to do. SALT volunteers check about 40 homes daily during the winter, when snowbirds head south. "They go out with their list and check homes every time they go out," Hoornstra said. "The services they are providing are more efficient than what we would be able to provide without them." SALT was established about 13 years ago, said Hudson, who chairs the group. Like Hudson, fellow SALT officer Bob Matsko, 76, of Flushing, has been with the program pretty much from the start. "When you retire, you want to find something to keep you busy," said Matsko, a former teacher in the Carman-Ainsworth School District. "Doing something like this just makes you feel good." They have about 27 volunteers who each spend about three hours a week working. Published: Tue, Feb 16, 2010

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