Volunteer with LPD

VIPS - Volunteers in Public Safety
Founded in 1988 by five community-oriented individuals, this program offers home vacation checks on for Lynnwood residents (forms are available at the front desk of the Police Department, open 24 hrs/day). The volunteers walk the property, checking for any problems, picking up deliveries, and so on. They also provide patrol shifts (extra eyes and ears for police) during the day, driving around the City both as a presence and on the lookout for suspicious activity or individuals. Additionally, some members provide clerical support to the Crime Prevention Unit.

Currently, we have 25 members, but are always ready to welcome others who would like to volunteer. The majority of this group are active retired individuals. Besides "giving back to the community," many of them have expressed what wonderful associations are created with other members of VIPS.

If you would be interested in volunteering approximately 4 hours a week with one monthly group meeting, please contact Janet Abbott in the Crime Prevention Unit at 425 670-5635 or send e-mail to  ssessions@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.

Citizens Patrol
The Lynnwood Police Citizens Patrol, a group of 70 civilian volunteers (both men and women) who assist patrol officers, began in 1997. Since that time it has expanded to perform the following functions:

• High visibility deterrent vehicle patrol
• Disabled parking enforcement and issuing citations for violations
• Directing traffic at accident scenes and during power outages
• Bike Patrol of the Interurban bike trail and city parks
• Opening car doors for citizens who are locked out
• Targeted patrol of problem areas
• Homeland security training and assistance
• Youth outreach to children and teens in Lynnwood
• Child car safety seat installation

Citizens Patrol members range in age from 21 to 62. Members volunteer at least 10 hours each month and are asked to make a year's commitment to the program.

Most members are chosen from those who attend the general 16-week Lynnwood Police Citizens Academy. In addition they are given extensive and on-going training in such topics as: emergency driving techniques, first aid and CPR, use of the police radio, assertive communication, personal safety and defensive tactics, homeland security and disaster response. Members meet monthly for training as well as social activities.

Each year the men and women of the Citizens Patrol donate over fifteen thousand hours to help make Lynnwood an even safer place to live and work. For more information please contact Trudy Dana in the Crime Prevention Unit at 425 670-5637 or send e-mail to  tdana@ci.lynnwood.wa.us.