Oro Valley Volunteers Save Police $500K in Community Work

After losing her husband, Kathleen Hernandez moved back to Oro Valley searching for connection. Seven years later, she's still showing up every week to help her local police department serve the community she loves.

Hernandez is part of the Oro Valley Police Department's Citizen Volunteer Assistants Program, where regular residents handle tasks that would otherwise pull officers away from emergencies. Volunteers direct traffic, work community events, process fingerprints, and even check on homes while neighbors are away through a program called "Dark House."

The numbers tell a powerful story. In 2025 alone, more than 60 volunteers logged 155,000 hours of service, saving the town over half a million dollars in labor costs. That's half a million dollars that can go toward equipment, training, or additional resources while officers focus on high-priority calls.

"My husband passed away and I moved back to Oro Valley and I was looking for somewhere to be involved and make friends," Hernandez said. What started as a way to fill empty days became something far more meaningful.

The program has been running since the late 1990s and continues to attract people from all walks of life. Retirees, teachers, engineers, and former military members all work side by side, united by a simple desire to give back.

Jim Needles, the program's chair, sees the volunteers as essential partners in public safety. By handling routine tasks, they free up sworn officers to respond faster when seconds count.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches beyond statistics and spreadsheets. For seniors like Hernandez, the program offers purpose and community during life transitions that can feel isolating. Tom Worcester, who recruits new volunteers, says people stay because the work gives their days meaning.

Large events like National Night Out, which draws thousands of attendees, would be nearly impossible to staff without volunteer support. These gatherings strengthen bonds between residents and officers, creating the kind of trust that makes neighborhoods safer.

The program also builds understanding. When community members work alongside police, they see the challenges officers face and the dedication required to keep people safe. That perspective spreads through families, friend groups, and neighbors.

For Hernandez, being a senior citizen who contributes feels vital. "It's good to be out in the community meeting people, making new friends and making sure that you feel important and viable," she said.

The department is actively seeking more volunteers as demand grows. Anyone interested can find information on the Oro Valley Police Department website.

In a town already recognized as one of Arizona's safest cities, these volunteers prove that safety isn't just about badges and patrol cars—it's about neighbors caring for neighbors.