Cranston Police Join Doctors to Deliver Holiday Meals

Eighteen sworn and civilian members of the Cranston Police Department recently joined forces with a team of medical professionals from Kent Hospital to deliver meals to some of Cranston’s older residents who were alone for the holidays.

The “Cops and Docs” program was a joint venture between the department and the Kent Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine’s Residency program to deliver meals to residents older than 60.

The meals were part of more than 400 meals delivered from the Cranston Senior Center this year and Cranston Police Chief Col. Michael Winquist said the gesture is a “natural fit” for the department.

“Working closely with medical professionals and those who take care of our seniors is a natural fit for our police department. All seniors should have the opportunity to enjoy a Holiday meal and we proud to play a small role in this worthy endeavor,” the chief said.

Law enforcement and emergency medical professionals work together in myriad ways, such as after an accident or when a victim needs assistance.

Thirteen volunteers from Kent joined the members of the police force and in some cases, they were joined by their families.

Having been a Cranston resident, we are very happy to join forces with the Cranston Police Department to help the senior community in a truly unique way, away from the clinical setting and outside of the emergency room,” said Dr. Kristina McAteer, an emergency medicine physician at Kent Hospital.

For more information about the Cranston Senior Center’s volunteer programs, call David Quiroa at 401-780-6180. For more information about the Cranston Police Department’s community outreach efforts, call Capt. Vincent McAteer at 401-942-2211.