Local police department looking for volunteers to help fight crime

MARYSVILLE, Wash. -- Volunteers won’t be issued badges or guns, but they do have eyes and ears on the ground -- and a police radio.

The city of Marysville hopes you might have what it takes to help fight crime.

“It’s giving back to the community,” said volunteer Don Northrop.

Northrop said being part of the Marysville Volunteer Program is a great way to help out.

“We’re a little older,” he said, “we’ve lost a couple people in the last few weeks that have retired. We need some fresh blood."

Volunteers help with neighborhood and business watch programs, and also check on homes when the owners are on vacation.

They are the eyes and ears of the community, looking out for anything suspicious, part of a citizen policing program Marysville Police say is critical to combating crime.

So, if you can pass a background check and a lie-detector test, Marysville Police could use your help.

It’s a program Jamie Denton thinks could have prevented a prowler from breaking into her car at the Regal Cinemas last week.

“My girls were really upset thinking something of their stuff got stolen,” said Denton.

And after crooks tossed a brick through a window and then burglarized Taqueria Labamba last week, the restaurant’s owners think watchful volunteers could keep something like this from happening to someone else.

"I think it’s a good idea."

If Northrop and his fellow volunteers are able to stop just one crime from happening in Marysville, he believes he’s making a difference.

“Just a presence that could prevent somebody from doing something,” said Northrop.

The city of Marysville is actively recruiting volunteers; click here if you’d like to sign up.