Contact: Elaine Tricoli
Phone: (336) 373-2421

GPD Officers to Host Fishing Trip for Senior Citizens

GREENSBORO, NC – (May 29, 2008) –  Senior citizens in Greensboro’s public housing communities are often on a first-name basis with the Greensboro Police officers who patrol their neighborhoods. Today, they’ll be fishing buddies.

On Thursday, May 29, officers who make up the Police Neighborhood Resource Center (PNRC) program will take some 30 senior citizens from Greensboro Housing Authority communities on an annual fishing trip to Hagan Stone Park. Sgt. Jeff Lowdermilk, the leader of the PNRC squad, said the residents relish the opportunity to socialize with each other and with the officers who spend their days and nights protecting their communities.

“When we get together like this, they socialize with us on a more personal level, and that means they become more comfortable with us,” he said.

Today’s trip marks the 17th annual outing. Residents from Claremont Courts, Ray Warren Homes, Hampton Homes, Smith Homes, and Hickory Trails will participate, and for the first time, residents from Gateway Plaza and Haw Towers will also join in. Lowdermilk said the officers will provide the fishing poles and worms and will provide lunch for the residents, as well.

In 1990, PNRC officers came up with the idea of a fishing trip in an effort to give something back to the elderly and to show their appreciation for being such strong supporters of the Police Department. The idea was a hit with the residents, Lowdermilk said. The continued success of the fishing trip stems from a combination of the residents’ enjoyment of the activity and the easy socializing that takes place, he said.

“Many of these senior citizens are not very mobile, so this trip is a great chance for them to get out and socialize,” he said. “Even though we talk to them a lot while we’re on patrol, on these trips, they really talk to us. They’ll say, ‘Hey, did you know about this?’ or ‘You really ought to be checking into that.’ They know what’s going on because they’re there all day.”

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The City of Greensboro works in partnership with the community to build an increased quality of life for all residents by fostering an environment where inclusion, diversity, and trust are valued. As the seventh largest employer in Greensboro, the City has a dedicated professional staff of 2700 employees who maintain four core values of honesty, integrity, stewardship, and respect. The City of Greensboro is governed by a council-manager form of government where a mayor and eight council members act as the legislative body. For more information, visit us online at www.greensboro-nc.gov.