Cops deliver certificates at breakfast party

Few people, if any, enjoy the ever-popular Walk with Cops program more than Marie Conti.

“She enjoys this program as much as the special senior citizens we serve,” Richard S. Tamburini, the veteran Johnston police chief, said on a recent Thursday morning while watching Conti do everything from serve food to deliver presents. “She works hard at this, and that’s what makes this program a success.”

Walk with Cops was founded 21 years ago when Tamburini first occupied the chief’s chair in Johnston after a highly-decorated 30-year career with the Providence Police Department. It’s a special and model program, Tamburini will tell you, that enables JPD officers and patrolmen to make personal connections with the town’s senior citizens who the chief always points out “are often our eyes and ears in the community.”

The program usually begins in late May when the weather is warmer and seniors from area nursing homes and rehabilitation centers are transported to Johnston War Memorial Park for a light breakfast and a weekly walk with the police. The program runs through September and is totally dependent upon weather.

But at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the JPD holds special indoor parties like last Thursday morning’s season finale at the Johnston Senior Center.

Ranking JPD officials including Deputy Chief Daniel O. Parrillo, Major Joseph Razza, Captain Thomas Dolan, Captain Matt LeDuc, Captain Richard Norato, Sgt. Troy Maddocks, patrolman David Slinko, Jeff Cicchitelli and Chuck Psilopoulos were also on hand to make the day special by helping volunteers serve orange juice, coffee, donuts, danish, apple turnovers and freshly cut fruit to the day’s attendees.

In the middle of it all was Conti, who coordinates everything from tabletop decorations that are geared toward each season or holiday and also puts together what Tamburini called “a valuable group of volunteers who loves this event as much as our senior citizens.”

But last Thursday’s Walk with Cops took on another look, as Tamburini, assisted by Conti, presented participation certificates to representatives from Cherry Hill Manor, The Bridge at Cherry Hill and Briarcliffe Manor, who always make sure their residents are included in the weekly walks.

Tamburini and Conti also presented volunteers Deb and Loretta Simone, John Teolis, Adeline Zanni and Cami Corrente with special certificates for their untiring volunteer efforts throughout the season.

“We want to wish everyone a very, very Merry Christmas and the best of health in 2017,” Tamburini said during his closing statement. “Our next meeting is a few months off, but June will be here before we know it.”