- September 21, 2024
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Councilmen Jack Wiles and Chase Tramont, VIPS volunteer Mary Wittmeyer, Councilmen Scott Stiltner and Drew Bastian and Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi. Photo by Tanya Russo
Mary Wittmeyer receives her service pin from Port Orange Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi. VIPS Major Pat Lamonte stood with her. Photo by Tanya Russo.
VIPS volunteers support Mary Wittmeyer at the council meeting on April 16. Photo by Tanya Russo.
When Mary Wittmeyer started volunteering with the Port Orange Volunteers in Police Service through the Police Department, Mayor Don Burnette was a junior in high school.
Whittmeyer was recognized by the city and the Police Department for 35 years of volunteer service at the City Council meeting on April 16. Police Chief Thomas Grimaldi presented Wittmeyer with a service pin.
Grimaldi said the VIPS help the police in many different ways. They perform services that police officers might do, so the officers can be sent for other duties. He said they are of great value to the police and citizens. VIPS may help with traffic control, fingerprinting, vacation house watches and courier service.
Whittmeyer started volunteering with VIPS in 1983, where she served as secretary and later, as treasurer. Over the years, she served in the POPD patrol and traffic division. She also spent time with the detective division, chasing down pawn tickets and pawn shop lists for the police so they could investigate crimes.
Whittmeyer averages over 900 volunteer hours for the city per year. She is at the Police Department at least three times a week and helps with whatever is asked of her. She attends special events to help the police, as well.
“Mary, on behalf of the entire Port Orange Police Department, and, dare I say, the city of Port Orange, thank you so much for your service, and again, thank you for the great disposition you bring into our police department every day," Grimaldi said. "We love seeing you, and we can’t wait for 35 more.”
Wittmeyer received her pin to the applause of an audience filled with citizens and fellow VIPS who came to the meeting to lend their support.
