LISBON – Police Chief David Brooks announced Thursday that trained volunteers will call elderly and homebound residents weekly this winter to be sure they are warm and safe.

The Lisbon Volunteers in Police Service Citizen Outreach Program is patterned after a nationwide initiative to “help build safer, stronger communities by volunteering with local law enforcement,” he said.

Brooks and retired officer Thomas Stanton Sr. started the program in collaboration with Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice and SeniorsPlus. It is free.

“This Outreach Program was developed because of the concern, not only locally, but throughout the northern states, over the high cost of home heating oil. Many seniors are on fixed incomes and are sometimes forced to choose between paying for medicines, food or heat,” Brooks said. “Our program cannot directly provide any of these needs; however we can provide a real person to talk to. If, during that conversation, it is learned that kind of help or assistance is needed, we can make an attempt to get the need fulfilled.”

A trained Police Department volunteer will phone individuals enrolled in the program, from the Lisbon Police Department, at a prearranged time of the day. During the short weekly phone conversation, the volunteer will ask how the people are doing, the chief said.

Should an issue arise, volunteers will be equipped with contact information for community resources and will be able to make referrals for services and assistance.

If the volunteer is unable to reach the senior at the designated time, another attempt will be made a short while later. If the caller is still unable to reach the resident, a call will be made to a prearranged contact, for example, a neighbor or family member living nearby. If necessary, a volunteer will be sent to the participant’s home to check on them.

Brooks said there are already eight community members signed up as volunteers.

“These enthusiastic individuals are all recent graduates of the Lisbon Police Department’s Citizen’s Police Academy and are now active VIPS volunteers of high moral character, who will be representing Lisbon Police Department, and as such they have been screened and interviewed and will undergo training prior to serving in this capacity,” he said.

All seniors or homebound residents of Lisbon are encouraged to participate in the program. Anyone interested in receiving more information or an enrollment form to volunteers should contact liaison Tom Stanton at 353-3000, ext. 336 or visit the Lisbon Police Department at 300 Lisbon St.