On Saturday April 20, 2019 the Rockaway Beach Police Department hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. For twelve years, the Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) have given countless hours of their own time towards keeping the Rockaway Beach Police Department front doors open during business hours and providing information and assistance to anyone that comes in. This saves the city an estimated $133,000 in wages and benefits annually. Their contribution to the City of Rockaway Beach, the police department and the citizens is immeasurable.
At the annual dinner, a Volunteer of the Year award is presented to the volunteer that combines time given to the police department as well as their impact within the police department office and community.
We are proud to announce that for the year 2018, David Elkins is Volunteer of the Year.
David not only gave hundreds of hours of his time to the police department, he has worked tirelessly to promote disaster preparedness in our area. He attends classes nearly every month to increase his knowledge and then in turn brings that learning back to Rockaway. David is involved in the CERT program, the yellow radio, emergency preparedness and brings decades of experience in law enforcement and firefighting/rescue operations to our area.
If you are interested in helping prepare your home, neighborhood and community for response to disasters of any size, please email cert4rb@gmail.com.
If you would like to learn more about the VIPS program, or become a volunteer yourself please feel free to contact Chief Stewart at the Rockaway Beach Police Department or by phone at (503)374-1726.
