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Bruce and Marge Johnson can be found patrolling around Liberty Lake neighborhoods or helping at special events as part of the local Sheriff’s Community Oriented Policing Effort (SCOPE) chapter.

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In the August Fountain: SCOPE-ing out the community; Give Back
7/30/2015 8:26:42 AM

SCOPE-ing out the community 
Couple has patrolled LL neighborhoods for 15 years

By Sarah Robertson
Splash Contributor

Many people decide to start volunteering when they retire, providing an invaluable resource to many non-profit and community organizations.  

But not many people decide to take up fighting crime in their retirement.  That's more or less what the folks (retired and unretired) at Sheriff's Community Oriented Policing Effort (SCOPE) are doing.

One such couple that has been involved with SCOPE for the last 15 years is Bruce and Marge Johnson. The Johnsons said they enjoy SCOPE because they get to help the community.

"We didn't like going to senior citizen places," Marge, 85, said with a chuckle. "SCOPE is interesting.  You get to do a lot of different things."

Both Johnsons credit (or blame) Harry Hansen for recruiting them for SCOPE. The organization began a chapter in Liberty Lake in 1999.  Started by Karen Biggs-Pagliaro and Wendy Van Orman, SCOPE has been an integral part of the Liberty Lake community ever since.

The Johnsons' roots run quite deep in Liberty Lake.  Even though the couple just recently moved outside of city limits, Bruce, 82, called Liberty Lake home for 54 years and Marge lived their for 40 years. They couldn't imagine not staying involved in SCOPE and the community, and they have already started recruiting their new neighbors for the program.  

Marge came to Liberty Lake by way of Illinois, Indiana and California. Her first husband moved around a lot in order to find work as a teacher.  When they reached Liberty Lake, Marge said she was tired of moving and here she would stay.  

"I thought it was so great to live by a lake," she said.

Bruce came out from Michigan with his family in 1948. His father started a mobile home franchise in Spokane, and the family had a cabin at Liberty Lake. Bruce eventually bought land near the cabin and built his own house, which is still in the family.

Bruce and Marge enjoy staying active and involved in the community that they have been part of for so long. As Bruce will tell anyone willing to listen, "Join SCOPE to help other people. Be a volunteer and see what goes on in the community."

Their favorite part of SCOPE was night patrols until Marge had cataract surgery. Night patrols check for open garage doors, unlocked businesses and suspicious activity in general. They keep in close contact with police.  Most of the time, things stay pretty calm, but once in a while things get a little exciting.  

Marge recalls accompanying a law enforcement officer at a domestic violence call:  "It made me a little nervous, but I was happy to help."

Bruce's most memorable night patrol was calling the police after finding a business unlocked. The police sent in their K-9 unit to look for people hiding in the building.  It all came to nothing, which Bruce and Marge were both glad of.

Most of their time now is spent volunteering at events such as the Liberty Lake Loop Run and other athletic events as well as the symphony in the park and Easter egg hunt. If there is an event in the area, SCOPE will probably have a presence.

SCOPE generally attends events to help with traffic control and parking lot issues such as monitoring handicapped parking.  According to current SCOPE president Joe French, who has known the Johnsons for 35 years, the couple attend nearly all events and are always willing to do what's needed. 

"Marge and Bruce always bring cookies to every meeting," French chuckled. "We gotta' have our sweets!"

Bruce and Marge really enjoy the social aspects of the group. They love being in the Fourth of July parade with the SCOPE golf cart and handing out candy to kids as well as attending the annual appreciation dinner and summer potluck.  

Liberty Lake SCOPE has about 20 volunteers, but French said they are always looking for more.  Volunteers must be 18 years of age and older, able to drive, and pass a background check. After that, there is about six to eight hours of training and a defensive driving course that all volunteers must take in order to drive county vehicles.  

"I remember when we used our own rigs and just used magnetic signs and lights for patrol," French reminisced.  Now, the group has their own car and golf cart.

The organization's main focus in Liberty Lake is on events, school patrol (making sure kids are getting to and from school and watching for suspicious people and vehicles), night patrols and patrolling the Centennial Trail. SCOPE also offers vacation patrol. If you're going to be out of town and want an extra set of eyes on your home, all you have to do is call.  

French would like to remind people interested in the program that you don't have to volunteer for every event or every patrol. It can be as little or as much time as you are willing to put into it.  

If you're interested in volunteering or want more information on the services SCOPE provides, contact Joe French or Ray Baesler at the SCOPE office, 755-1143.

• • • 

Fountain Profiles: Bruce and Marge Johnson

Ages
Bruce, 82, and Marge, 85

Biggest Change in Liberty Lake
"About 4,000 homes," Bruce said. "I remember when people would come out by train to the resorts on the lake.  There was a merry-go-round and a little park."

Favorite local event
Fourth of July Celebration, concerts and events at Pavillion Park

Involvement with SCOPE
15 years

Activities
Both love boating and the trails around Liberty Lake. Marge is a long-time member of the garden club, and Bruce used to enjoy riding his motorcycle through the hills and finding remnants of old Prohibition stills. 

• • • 

Give Back
Spotlighting timely needs our community can meet together

To our friends and neighbors in the greater Spokane Valley: 

Did you know that Spokane Valley Partners now has a separate clothing bank specifically for career clothing? Recently, the organization separated out items from the clothing bank that could be used for job interviews or career clothing and put them in a separate area to reserve for people who need wardrobe assistance when it comes to getting back on their feet with a job. 

In the coming weeks, Spokane Valley Partners will be working with Humanix as well as local libraries that feature career and job resources to help people looking to enter into the workforce get connected with resources to jumpstart their success. 

This fabulous program needs your help, however. The clothing bank is looking for donations of career-oriented clothing - shirts, slacks, shoes, ties, belts, jewelry, etc. - to help stock this now separate service operated by Spokane Valley Partners. Retired residents and anyone looking to lend a hand are asked to revisit their closets looking for clothing that could be donated. As usual, men's clothing is the least-donated, so thereby is in the biggest demand. 

Donations can be dropped off at 10814 E. Broadway Ave., or call Spokane Valley Partners with any questions at 927-1153. 

Thanks for joining us in helping our career-seeking neighbors get the assistance they need to get off on the right foot.

Sincerely, 

The Arger Family
Investing in Spokane Valley since 1979 
Local owners of Evergreen Fountains, sponsor of The Fountain senior spread in The Splash and The Current

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