Walk with Cops a stroll in the park

Johnston Sun Rise ·

Although weather wiped out back-to-back Thursdays for opening day of the Johnston Police Department’s award-winning Walk with Cops season, the time honored tradition began last week in a way like never before.

“Today was a huge success,” said Marie Conti, who coordinates the weekly coffee and event with a small group of volunteers. “The Chief really made it special.”

The Chief is Richard S. Tamburini, the JPD’s long-serving leader who founded the Walk with Cops program 22 years ago.

And, as further proof that that program never gets old, Tamburini launched the 2017 season inside Johnston War Memorial Park by gathering each participant for a keepsake photo.

“Okay everyone, please assemble here by the water,” Tamburini requested. “We’re changing our routine; we’re going to walk first then have coffee and pastry.”

Seconds later, there were a lot of smiles on the faces of senior citizens who are bused to the park from their various Johnston residence facilities to enjoy a morning of coffee, camaraderie and cops.

“These people love this program,” Tamburini said. “They’re really disappointed when it’s cancelled because of inclement weather.”

Last Thursday morning, though, the sun was shining and Conti, along with Victoria M. Young, Camie Corrente, Adeline Zanni and John Teolis – as well as a half-dozen members of the JPD – made the season opener special beginning with a group photo.

Yet another example of just how much the seniors love walking with the cops around the park’s perimeter was when all the day’s special guests – even those with walkers and some who were in wheelchairs – answered Tamburini’s call: “OK, folks, let’s walk!”

When everyone had completed his or her walk with JPD officers Major Joe Razza, Capt. Richard Norato, Capt. Mark Vieira, Sgt. Luca Lancellotti and Patrolman David Slinko, they were seated at long, banquet style tables that Conti’s crew covered with colorful plastic cloths. But each of those long table tops, which were set up early in the morning by the Johnston Parks and Recreation Department’s staff, featured more than a plastic covering. Conti always makes sure there are special centerpieces to make the seniors feel right at home.

Moreover, Conti’s crew and the JPD officers make sure none of the guests have to get up from his or her seat for the coffee or morning’s goodies like donuts, muffins and juice that are served to a group of residents Tamburini calls “our special seniors.”

So despite having been rained out on two previous Thursdays, the weekly session Cops officially opened its 22nd season – the same amount of time Tamburini had led the JPD Command – and the Chief issued the call for other nursing, rehab, assisted living and retirement centers in town to come out and Walk with Cops.