The Schnoebelen clan was at the opening-day helm of the Carson City Sheriff's Department's new substation Wednesday in the Albertson's grocery store on Highway 50 East.
"This keeps us out of trouble," said 79-year-old Jeanne Schnoebelen with a wink. She and her husband of 55 years, Glen, have volunteered to work at least once a week at the substation.
"We're here to meet the community and make them aware of the Sheriff's Department," Glen, 75, said. "We had our first phone call at 9:32 a.m. and our first visitor at 10:12."
Albertson's has donated an office in the front of the store, formerly used by a bank, to the Sheriff's Department. The Schnoebelens and other volunteers will man the desks for five days a week, four hours a day, offering referrals to various community programs to anyone interested. They will also accept applications to the Sheriff's Department's volunteer program. All the pamphlets are provided in both English and Spanish.
"If someone comes in and has a question that we can't answer, we'll get on the phone and find them the answer," Glen Schnoebelen said.
Volunteer Coordinator Tom Szupello said the substation is the first in a series of programs that will use volunteers.
On Wednesday, Szupello said, the Volunteers in Policing program will makes it debut with uniformed volunteers patrolling the streets of Carson City in specially marked vehicles. There object is to lessen the burden of deputies who find themselves responding to calls that don't require a sworn officer.
Szupello said the substation will eventually have listings of city job announcements and possibly be able to issue dog licenses and burn permits.
Store Director Ted Grever said he's been anxious for the substation to be up and running.
"It's been a long time coming," he said. "But I hope it makes the community feel more secure. This gives our customers a place to come for information. It's been a great experience so far."
ON THE NET:
www.ccsheriff.com
The substation number is 887-2331.
