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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer 

PELHAM – On Monday, March 4, Pelham seniors were welcomed to the Pelham Police Department for a tour of the facilities and were able to set their eyes on the members of law enforcement that protect the local community.

The visit to the Pelham Police Department was guided by Lt. Jason Vandiver and Capt. Kevin Davis with added involvement from other members of the department’s leadership. The tour included areas of the facility that aren’t often open to visitors.

“Our group was given a very informative tour,” said Katie Augsburger, senior recreation coordinator for Pelham Parks and Recreation. “We visited the 911 dispatch center, the evidence room, the municipal court, the indoor shooting range and gym.”

Senior visitors also had the opportunity to visit Chief of Police Brent Sugg and tour his personal office as well as visit and conversate with multiple police detectives that were on-site.

“The Pelham Senior Center is so happy to partner with the Pelham Police Department and we appreciate the time that was taken with our group in explaining the processes behind the scenes that help ensure the safety of the Pelham citizens,” Augsburger said.

Throughout the tour, the guests were able to ask questions that included topics like how a Taser works and how Thunder, the department’s K-9 officer, can differentiate the smells correlated to explosives and drug paraphernalia. They were also able to learn about how Thunder is able to go home at the end of the day with his handler, Officer Lee Tibbits.

“Meeting Thunder was a fun surprise for our seniors,” Augsburger said. “Thunder is such a valuable addition to our police force.”

Plans for the tour had been in the works since January and represents the latest example of cooperation between the Pelham Senior Center and the Pelham Police Department.

“Detective (Isaac) Cruz has given helpful presentations on internet safety and self-defense at the Pelham Senior Center in the past year, and our members enjoy the opportunity to meet the brave men and women who protect us every day,” Augsburger said. “I felt this would be a good way to collaborate.”

Following the center’s visit to the department, all members had lunch at Cajun Boys and Our Po Boys.

This will not be the only trip in the near future for the Pelham Senior Center either, as multiple ventures and excursions are planned for the center’s participants in the coming weeks and months.

“We will be touring the Alabama Theatre, and we will be taking a trip to visit the Amish community in Ethridge, Tennessee,” Augsberger said. “We will also be taking a trip in April to Savannah, Georgia.”