HUMBOLDT — Though it may have tugged at the heartstrings of the community, the Humboldt Police Department has no business organizing an Adopt-a-Grandparent gift-giving effort, advised city attorney Fred Works.
Simply put, organizing the project and delivering gifts are not the force’s responsibility and to do so “while on the clock,” is not a good use of taxpayer money.
Works did not rule out the department’s participation, but that it be done on a volunteer basis and after hours.
“Nobody’s saying this can’t be a project. But from the standpoint of a public use doctrine of taxpayer dollars, this is not a function of the city,” Works said. “This should not be part of a police officer’s job, nor should the police or anybody in the city be soliciting” gifts for the effort.
Works’ opinion threw cold water on the hopes of Danica Modlin, a Humboldt High School senior and daughter of Sheri Modlin, who works for the police department.
Danica appealed to city council members to reinstate the program, recalling the joy it gave her when accompanying her mother to deliver the gifts.
“I wish I could put into words the joy on the officers’ faces in giving back to the community,” she said. “And the older people smiled ear to ear, some even cried, because they were so touched.”
“Sadly, last year we didn’t get to do it because of the fear of asking for donations. But that’s what a community is for,” she said.
The Adopt-a-Grandparent program began in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of the elderly townsfolk were unable to get out and about or were prevented from having visitors.
Police Chief Shannon Moore estimated about 75 participants received gifts. In 2021, the number of gifts dropped to around 50, she said.
Moore said the department was in a unique position to know who would need cheering up.
Last year, Tami and Jeff Comstock tried to resume the program.
“My husband and I and a few very good friends put together and delivered some small things, but it wasn’t the same as the department’s efforts,” Tami Comstock said.
Comstock said the “warm fuzzy feeling” of giving gifts to the elderly, “is such great PR for the department.”
Comstock said she would be happy to contribute gifts to the effort. “In fact, I’m quite good at shopping,” but not on the scale required.
