Hermosa Police Department Adds New Programs to Assist Residents

The will begin three new programs over the coming months to help assist vacationing residents, senior citizens living alone and seniors living with Alzheimer's disease, the department announced last week.

The "You are Not Alone Program" will aim to help senior citizens who are living alone in Hermosa Beach. Under the program, family members can request that Hermosa Beach police conduct weekly welfare checks with the senior.

During welfare checks, officers or police volunteers will document important information such as medications taken, the person's physical condition, available food and home cleanliness, Sgt. Robert Higgins said.

A second program known as the "Homeward Bound Program" will help seniors living with Alzheimer's disease. 

The program allows family members to provide the police department with family contact information and the senior citizen's personal information.  Higgins said that this information is crucial if the senior is located away from home or a care facility.

The final program offers free home checks for residents while they are on vacation. If contact information is provided, Higgins said police will contact the homeowner if anything abnormal is found during the check.

Those interested in the new programs are encouraged to contact Sgt. Brian Smyth who will coordinate the programs. Sgt. Smyth can be reached by phone at (310) 318-0360 or by email at bsmyth@hermosapolice.org.