In 1989, the Sparks Police Department embarked on a program for senior citizens. The idea behind the Sparks Senior Phone Patrol is to place a phone call each day to check on the welfare of senior citizens who live alone. The Police Department offers this program in an effort to reduce the time seniors would have to wait for emergency medical help in the event they were sick or injured in their home and unable to get to the phone for help.
Active participants vary but throughout the years have ranged from 35 to 50 participants. Calls are made between the hours of 7am and 11am daily; including weekends. If no answer is received and no notification has been given through the use of an answering machine setup for this specific purpose, an officer is sent to the senior's residence to check on their welfare.
During the month of December, the Sparks Police Department hosts the Annual Senior Christmas Party. Many of the seniors that participate in the Senior Phone Patrol do not have a family support system in the area. This event is anticipated by all seniors in the program and is very enjoyable for both the senior and our police department personnel.