Jeff Humphrey, Media Manager, 509.625.6308
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 2:45 p.m.
While concerns about the COVID-19 virus temporarily close our Spokane C.O.P.S. Shops, some volunteers are trading their desks for a little more time behind the wheel.
“And we knew a lot of people might be trapped in homes and since we weren’t going into the Cop Shops because of the quarantine, we wondered, how we can we still manage to serve the community,” recalled Spokane C.O.P.S. Executive Director, Patrick Striker.
One answer was, to use the same volunteers who patrol our neighborhoods, to also deliver food and medicine.
Participating stores, like Fred Meyer, are now allowing uniformed C.O.P.S. volunteers to pick up pre-paid prescriptions.
“A lot more people are staying home, as they probably should during this time, and so, Spokane C.O.P.S. is happy to help out and get the food and medicines to the people who are home-bound with health issues, that are a great concern to them about being out in public,” explained C.O.P.S. volunteer Victor Frazier.
“Hi Steve, I’m Victor with Spokane C.O.P.S. and I’ve got your prescription for ya,” Frazier said during a stop at a home near Chief Garry Park.
Steve Frediani suffers from existing respiratory problems and worries about contracting the virus.
“Do you want to put in the mailbox? I’m glad to hear you’re doing o-k, and you’ve got our number,” said Frazier as he stepped away from the door.
Later, Frediani said he appreciates C.O.P.S. volunteers delivering his medicine, helping Frediani dodge what could be a life threatening infection.
“Well you know, we tend to be a little cynical these days and it’s nice to see things that demonstrate the opposite viewpoint,” Frediani said of Frazier’s willingness to help a stranger.
“So yeah, we’re really close. I think it’s around the curve here,” announced Frazier as he searched for another home where Frazier would drop off a bag of medicine.
Before Frazier was plotting the best route for prescriptions deliveries, he spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force navigating Fairchild aerial refueling missions.
So, when there’s a need for volunteers, stepping up comes naturally to Frazier.
“Giving to my community is something I’ve been doing for a long time. Service is just one of those things I like to do. I like to help people,” Frazier said with a modest smile.
Whether it’s helping people or preventing crime, C.O.P.S volunteers make Spokane a better, safer place to live.
