The people of Wilton are helping each other, formalizing a longtime New England tradition of neighbors watching out for neighbors.

Embracing a community policing concept, Officer Bob Cole Jr. is organizing a “Hello Neighbor” calling network for residents to check up on their elderly and disabled neighbors. The network will consist of 20 to 30 volunteers working several hours a week placing calls to people who have specifically asked the town to occasionally check their welfare.

The purpose of the calls is to make sure people living alone are safe and to get help if they are not, but the voices of these callers will also bring the comfort of human contact to people who may not otherwise have a lot of visitors.

Cole is donating his own time to organize this effort, a clear sign that he cares deeply about the people of Wilton.

In a town recently rocked by reports of poor performance in the police department, this community outreach demonstrates police now take seriously their duty to protect and serve.