In the Boston Police Department’s B-2 Precinct, Friday isn’t just special because it’s the end of the work week. For several hours every Friday morning, older adults from several surrounding buildings convene on the Melnea Cass Recreation Complex in Roxbury to reconnect with one another and with police officers. A host of activities – walking, games, dancing, and even pickleball – engage the seniors in a convenient place where they can socialize at no cost.
At a time when loneliness and isolation affect up to a third of older adults, BPD’s Walk the Beat program addresses a real concern. There is a Walk the Beat Program in every BPD district. The Boston Police Foundation funds the activities.
The officers who welcome the older adults in Roxbury are also a draw. “They’re very positive,” former retired BPD officer Yma Arrington says…