Volunteer patrol member Kenny Moskowitz hands a Delray Beach police sticker to a child, one way he and his colleagues engage with the public. Hannah Spence/The Coastal Star
By Hannah Spence
Delray Beach police are looking for a few good men — and women — to volunteer to be downtown and on the beach, welcoming visitors and residents alike, answering questions they might have.
The department’s volunteer patrol teams engage in activities like recommending events and good places to eat, helping people find somewhere to park, and showing kindness to children. All volunteers carry stickers that resemble police badges that they give to the young people and residents they encounter while patrolling.
“Our job is to just be out there, show people that we care,” said Barry Tantleff, 83, who holds the title of volunteer major and runs the program. “We answer questions for them. It’s kind of like public relations work.”
Tantleff was unsatisfied with retirement and started donating his time doing patrol work.
He says the patrol has a few dozen volunteers, but more are needed — especially with some of the current members heading north and not returning until fall.
Sam Fried, 73, who lives in the Palm Trail neighborhood, joined the volunteer program last December.
“It nourishes my soul to interact with people on the street,” he said. “Giving out these police stickers makes the kids so happy. When the kids are happy, the parents are happy.”
During his first week on patrol, Fried quickly realized he had made the right decision to join.
“Out on the beach, there was a dad with his 4-year-old son,” Fried said. “I approached them to give them a sticker, and without any prompting from the dad, the son looked up at me and said, ‘Thank you for your service.’ It was just wonderful.”
Sometimes, the volunteers never know who is going to need assistance. Patrol volunteer Kenny Moskowitz remembers the time a woman asked for his help finding her BMW on the same day someone had parked in the space for the golf cart he’s assigned while on patrol.
After asking her a few questions, he was able to confirm she had parked in his spot.
“I was originally going to find someone to give her a ticket, but decided against it,” said Moskowitz, 69, who lives west of the city. “She was a nice lady and did not see the sign saying, ‘Golf cart parking.’”
Moskowitz and Fried are among those heading north soon.
According to Tantleff, most of the people who now donate their time are male and of retirement age. He would like more diversity among the volunteers, and that they come “with a positive mindset” and want “to be a part of something different and interesting.”
Requirements to become a Police Department volunteer include filling out an application and submitting fingerprints for a background check. Once cleared, applicants must pass a driving test in the golf cart. They are also given a two-hour training session on volunteer duties. Participants must be at least 19 years old.
Tantleff’s group is strictly volunteer, with no compensation, unlike the paid Downtown Delray Beach Safety Ambassador program paid in part through the Downtown Development Authority.
Tantleff said patrol shifts are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers are required to do at least two shifts a week but can do more if they like. The golf carts patrol Atlantic Avenue from Swinton Avenue east to the beach. Volunteers park their golf carts along the avenue while they get out and walk to better engage with the public.
The patrols also use a vehicle to go through shopping centers along Linton Boulevard and along the east side of Military Trail from Linton to Lake Ida Road.
At Unique Boutique on East Atlantic Avenue, owner Karen Galvin appreciates the volunteers’ presence.
“The whole volunteer program is sensational because they keep us safe, and they make us aware of our surroundings,” said Galvin. “Just a great sense of peace and security on the avenue every day. The fact that these men and women are willing to do it for free, I think it’s fabulous.”
Last year, the volunteers started getting more involved with city events where they show their support while dressed in their uniform of black bottoms and “Delray Beach police” shirts.
Recently, they participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade, where they walked along the route and engaged with people.
Tantleff said being part of the police volunteer program “is more than just doing public service; it is being involved with a group of people that work together and form lasting friendship. Many of our volunteers tend to meet up for dinner or play a round of golf together. This program has been very good for me and my social life over the years.”
To learn more
Please visit delraybeachfl.gov/government/city-departments/police/get-involved/delray-beach-police-volunteer-patrol
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