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Redwood City resident Marie Larson, 85 years young, supports her local police and has always dreamed of going on a police ride along.  

Mrs. Larson thought she might have been 25 years too late, but she added going on a police ride along her "Bucket List."  Mrs. Larson, a retired teacher from Clifford School, never gave up on her dream and decided to make the call to see if she could go on a police ride along.

Mrs. Larson called the Redwood City Police Department and spoke with Kelly Tate in the records division. She informed Kelly of her "Bucket List" wish and asked if she could still participate.  Kelly advised Sgt. Dan Smith who loved the idea and was excited to see Mrs. Larson’s wish come true.  Sgt. Smith set up a meeting with Mrs. Larson and had her sign the necessary paper work to participate in a police ride along.

Mrs. Larson arrived early for her scheduled ride along on April 15, 2013 with her disposable Kodak camera in hand.  Mrs. Larson was given a tour of the police station and was paired with 28 year veteran Officer Todd Hurst.  Mrs. Larson then got to have her dream fulfilled. She rode with Officer Hurst on patrol for 4 hours, while he worked the West side of Redwood City on a Monday evening. Hurst later said, "She was like a kid in a candy store, full of vigor, and enjoyed her ride along experience very much."

Mrs. Larson walked away from her experience with a smile, camera full of photographs, and stories to tell her friends.  

The purpose of the Redwood City Police Department's Ride-Along Program is to encourage community involvement in law enforcement and to educate the public by opening up the lines of communication within the community. The Ride-Along Program promotes a better understanding of the challenges, risks and rewards of the police officer's role in the community. If you are interested in a ride along with the Redwood City Police Department, please call 780-7100. 
 
The Redwood City Police Department encourages community involvement in the law enforcement process and allows interested citizens and students to ride as passenger observers with patrol officers. All persons wishing to participate in the Ride-Along Program must be at least 16  years of age, must not currently be under a drivers' license suspension or revocation from the Department of Motor Vehicles, and have no warrants outstanding for their arrest.

The Redwood City Police Department is also planning a Tweet Along in the near future. This will be a virtual ride along on Twitter where curious citizens just need a computer or smartphone for a glimpse into law enforcement officers’ daily routines.

Tweet alongs typically are scheduled for a set number of hours, with an officer — or a designated tweeter like the department’s public information officer — posting regular updates to Twitter about what they see and do while on duty. The tweets, which also include photos and links to videos of the officers, can encompass an array of activities — everything from an officer responding to a homicide to a noise complaint.

For The Redwood City Police, tweet alongs are just one more way to connect directly with a community through social media.

To connect with the Redwood City Police on Social Media, follow us on Twitter @redwoodcitypd and Facebook at www.facebook.com/redwoodcitypd