VIPS (Volunteers in Police Service) was established in Gorham in 2018. The majority of their work involves traffic control for events run by the schools and the library as well as races, graduations, and parades, including the Iron Man Triathlon which includes swim, bike, and run events. Volunteers go through a Citizens Police Academy run by Sgt. Ted Hatch who handles all training for the VIPS program. Officer Mark Sanborn is the VIPS liaison and handles other aspects of the training process. Volunteers participate in training on an ongoing basis.

VIPS members also do citizen patrols, which involve them being out and about and being proactive in the community.

President Buffy Houp describes the role of VIPS as “providing another set of eyes and ears for the Gorham Police.” Summers are especially busy for VIPS volunteers as so many events are taking place, including numerous events at USM. The majority of their work is traffic control for events at the schools, library, graduations, and parades including the iron man triathlon.

Currently, there are 15 VIPS personnel working with the Gorham Police and USM for events such as move-in day as well as other events at the university. People who will be away from home can request property checks through the Police Department. These checks are handled by VIPS. Volunteers have picked up trash by the road for the past three years, in a program known as Gorham Cleans Up.

The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Participants in the VIPS program must be 18 or older, live or work in Gorham, and have a clean record. The hours worked by the VIPS members gives the police more opportunities to focus on more serious issues. Houp adds “Safety is the main goal of everything we do.” For more information, contact Vips@gorham.me.us.