The Loner Program enhances the choice of independence and freedom for senior citizens and others who are not ready to become totally dependent by living in a congregate facility. The program is available daily and requires no local, state or federal funding. It allows some of the citizens of North Port to continue living productive lives with minimal monitoring by trustworthy volunteers.

The word “trustworthy” gives the program genuine credibility. Loners must feel comfortable with the volunteer, knowing that personal information will not be revealed to any person or company targeting such a vulnerable group of people. Because of their inherent vulnerability, the information about loners is kept strictly confidential. Volunteers are selected very carefully and undergo a background investigation prior to being selected. The volunteers donate about two hours of their time each week to make the calls. At the present there are six volunteers. Calling begins at 7:00 a.m. and is over by 8:00 a.m.

If a registered loner does not answer a call, and there is no indication of where he/she may be, the volunteer notifies the Loner Program Coordinator. Should all attempts to discover why the loner is not answering fail, an officer is dispatched to determine the cause. Calls are made every 10 minutes until 8:30 a.m. If a loner has not received a call by 8:30 a.m., he/she is advised to call the department to advise that he/she is alright.

It is gratifying for the volunteers and program staff to know that if a loner cannot be reached today, he/she was reached yesterday and whatever has happened can be corrected, or he/she will not be alone in the house waiting for someone to find them when it is too late.

It is the city’s hope and desire that citizens who use the Loner Program will lead a longer, more active and productive life with the assurance that they are cared for by a group of citizens who cherish the furtherance of freedom of choice and independence. The Department feels that the peace of mind offered by the program promoted good mental as well as physical health.

The Loner Program utilized at the North Port Police Department began many years ago by Mrs. Lillian Downs, who passed away in 1983. Mrs. Downs and a group of her friends who lived alone decided to make a list and begin calling one another each morning to assure themselves that everyone was well. As the list grew, they began passing it around and taking turns with the calling. One year (no one seems to remember exactly when), Mrs. Downs was going on vacation and since she had the responsibility of assigning callers, she asked the Chief of Police if his department could handle the calls.

Nancy Quaglieri, who retired as Executive Assistant to Police Chief Yurchuck, heard of the program in 1982 from a dispatcher. Nancy then began as a volunteer with the Program calling Loners every weekday morning. In 1983, Mrs. Quaglieri became a full-time employee with the North Port Police Department and requested of former Police Chief Costello that she be allowed to oversee and supervise the Loner Program. A couple of years later the program became a volunteer group for the specific purpose of calling Loners with Mrs. Quaglieri continuing to coordinate and oversee the volunteers and the program.