Police Chiefs Past and Present Enjoy Lunch With Seniors

HARRISON - About 90 local senior citizens packed the recreation room of the legion hall on Halstead Avenue Wednesday afternoon to eat, drink and socialize in an event hosted by the Harrison Police.

Retired Chief David Hall started the event 14 years ago in observance of police week. Hall continues to be involved in the event despite his retirement at the end of last year. Although current Chief Anthony Marraccini is now responsible for the event, Hall still participates and cooks the food for the seniors.

"I think I've been through seven police chiefs - seven - nobody else has ever done this," said Frank Policriti, who has called Harrison home since 1920. "The last two chiefs are the only ones that have ever done this and I think it's really nice, people really appreciate it."

The seniors were treated to homemade baked ziti, sausage and peppers and a cake for desert with icing that read "God Bless Our Seniors". The food was accompanied with wine and soda provided by the police union (PBA). Local volunteers handed out drinks and served food.

After lunch there was a raffle and a few games of bingo. It was a chance for the seniors to visit with each other, as well as a chance for police to talk to some of the people they work to protect.

"It's a day for them to socialize, be with their friends," said Hall. "In some cases they live alone, they don't have anyone to speak to."

The event downtown followed a similar event in West Harrison earlier in the week that drew about 130 seniors. Fourteen years after Hall started the event, the adoration is still felt when talking to some of the seniors in attendance.

"He's well liked, he is such a great guy," Grace Zicca said of Hall. "He goes out of his way really to do things for you."

Hall says it took him three days to prepare the food for the event, adding that he intends to continue to be involved, an idea that current Chief Marraccini welcomes with open arms.

"We are going to try to keep Dave Hall around as long as we can because he's probably a better cook than I am," joked Marraccini.

Jokes about his cooking aside, Marraccini said that the event is a great chance to keep his officers in touch with the community and to spend some time reaching out. He added that it is a program that he intends to continue into the foreseeable future.

While the hour-long lunch was winding down a thankful table of seniors talked about the police while polishing off their plates full of food.

"The Harrison Police are wonderful police, we never have a problem with them," said Jill Negrepont. "They're courteous, they're kind."

"It's nice to be recognized as a senior, especially if you are a native of Harrison," added Marie Orsini. "It's a wonderful thing and we've been enjoying it."