Many cities have a volunteer arm of their Police Department that serves in various capacities depending on the community's needs, and Mill Creek's is called Citizen Patrol (CP), led by a stalwart volunteer, Barbara "Barb" Heidel, who explains how she joined the Patrol. "I was a teacher in the Cupertino School district in California," she says, "and when I retired, I moved to Mill Creek to be near my sons. I immediately began looking for volunteer opportunities at local schools and joined Silver Lake Elementary, where I volunteered twice a week from 2011 until the pandemic."

A few years before the pandemic Barb was looking for other ways to get involved in Mill Creek and took the Citizens Academy classes hosted by the Mill Creek Police Department (MCPD). Barb loved the classes so much she decided to take the next steps to becoming a Citizen Patrol member, which took her nearly two years. “One of the many roles of the CP is being a Goodwill Ambassador for the Police Department,” says Barb. “Always wearing our uniforms, we work in pairs doing things like foot patrols in Mill Creek Town Center, offering information to adults and making it a point to connect with kids by giving them badge stickers. We also make sure businesses lock their doors at night," she explains. The CP helps with traffic control at parades, runs the police booth at city events, gives parking tickets to violators in accessible parking spots, provides vacation checks, and much more. The patrol hopes to bring on new members and plans to host a Citizens Academy Class as soon as this spring.

One of the big annual events hosted by MCPD and CP is National Night Out (NNO), held annually on the first Tuesday in August. The police and local organizations, including the Mill Creek Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis of Mill Creek, come out in force! "Local businesses do, too," says Barb, including one of her favorites, Huckleberry Corn Co., a long-time NNO supporter serving up warm, delicious kettle corn. “It’s all free,” says Barb, “so don’t miss this year’s event held at Highlands Park.

Another role Barb has embraced since January 2023 is as the Volunteer Coordinator for the city. In this role, Barb works closely with the Communication, Marketing, & Recreation Department Program Managers, Jody Hawkins and Scott Harder, pairing volunteers with various projects and events throughout the city. Additionally, Barb has spearheaded a project of her own, the City's new Adopt-a-Street program. "It was not surprising to anyone who knows Barb that she would jump into a project like Adopt-a-Street, as she's all about taking good care of her city and giving back to her community,” says Jody. "She gives of herself in so many ways, even attending weekly City Council meetings. She is an exceptional human, and I always say that every city needs a Barb!"

According to Barb, she was initially motivated to do something by the City Council and Mayor pro tempore Stephanie Vignal's request to help make the city look beautiful. Researching the possibilities, Barb discovered how other cities tackled trash pickup with similar programs and decided she wanted to try it in Mill Creek. "This is a pilot program," stresses Barb, but she has already signed her first sponsor, the Tenhulzen Construction Company of Mill Creek. Once the pilot program is approved long-term, there will be signs noting who the street is "adopted" by, and the goal is for a two-year commitment from the adoptee. For those who want to volunteer for shorter periods, Barb recommends the city's other community clean-up opportunities including Earth Day, National Trails Day (in June), and National Clean-up Day (in September).

Barb is the contact for this Adopt-a-Street program and explains how it works. "The group receives training and safety tips, then picks up equipment provided by the city and takes responsibility for a distance of approximately a mile along a local street," she says. "They only pick up trash and debris on or near the sidewalks, never in the roadway.” At least four people are needed per volunteer group, and children ages 12 to 17 can participate with an adult. Barb encourages readers to contact her to learn more about the Mill Creek Adopt-a-Street program or to volunteer in other ways by emailing volunteer@millcreekwa.gov.

Barb loves to volunteer and help in any way possible to make Mill Creek a better place to live. We thank her for her amazing efforts!