TEAM KEEPS POLICE CARS TIPTOP.

Byline: Rebecca Nolan The Register-Guard

Noticed a little extra shine on Eugene police cruisers lately?

If so, thank the city's new volunteer squad car maintenance team.

In less than two months, the team of 12 retirees has turned a haphazard operation into a well-oiled machine. Officers accustomed to burned-out light bulbs, messy trunks and funky-smelling interiors are grateful for the change.

"Officers daily talk about how nice it is to get into a car and have everything they need," Lt. Ron Roberts said. "It allows them to focus on their jobs."

Volunteer coordinator Carrie Chouinard came up with the idea last year: recruit retirees with the know-how to maintain a car, and have them handle minor maintenance and safety inspections, thereby freeing up officer time.

She advertised for applicants and ended up with a group of men with different backgrounds and interests who wanted to help out the community.

"The main reason most of us are here is to give back to the city," volunteer Bob Blaesi said. "It relieves officers of the menial things they would have to do."

The men completed training in August and since then, they've made a tidy, organized home for themselves in what used to be a concrete junk room under city hall.

They wash cars, top off fluids, check bulbs, inflate tires, restock supplies and shuttle vehicles in need of more serious maintenance or repair to the city's fleet services facility on River Road, saving officers the trip. They've developed a system for tracking the maintenance needs of each car and monitor problems such as low oil or tire pressure to make sure the trouble isn't chronic.

The youngest volunteer is 57; the oldest, 82. Among their number are a builder, a mechanic, an airline employee, an attorney and a master mariner. Most learned to work on cars while young men. They all have their reasons for spending several hours each week taking care of the police fleet.

"My wife thought I needed something to do," volunteer Bill Gibson joked.

Bob Nowack, a retired attorney, was bored hanging around the house. He was volunteering for other Eugene police programs and signed up for the squad car team, too.

Blaesi was going to volunteer at a hospital, but changed his mind when he learned about the squad car team.

"The camaraderie here is really great," he said. "We're doing something worthwhile."

The team would like to add a few more people to their squad. Interested volunteers can call Carrie Chouinard at 682-5355 or e-mail her at [e-mail].

CAPTION(S):

Volunteers Bob Blaesi (left) and Don Bailor get ready to wash a squad car at the Eugene Police Department, whose cruisers never looked so good.