Posted Friday, April 17, 2020 1:00 pm





The plans approved by the Posse Board of Governors were balanced between meeting our mission to Sun City and protecting our Posse membership.” Richard Nonini, Sun City Posse commander Sun City Posse headquarters

10861 W. Sunland Drive

Sun City, AZ

View larger map 10861 W. Sunland DriveSun City, AZ

The black cars are still patrolling Sun City and Posse officials implemented additional measures to safeguard members while they continue to provide basic services.

Posse officials instituted some cutbacks in services and accessibility two weeks ago but continued to patrol. Additional measures will further restrict public access and provide added protections to members.

“The plans approved by the Posse Board of Governors were balanced between meeting our mission to Sun City and protecting our Posse membership,” Rich Nonini, Sun City Posse commander stated in an email.

Posse officials heard from some members questioned whether continuing to operate was the best approach, as they believed the agency was a non-essential business. However, Mr. Nonini and others disagreed.

“We need to understand the definition of ‘essential’ in light of Sun City’s unique situation,” he stated. “Since Sun City is unincorporated, we do not have a focused professional security organization. This lack of resource was the premise for the start of the Posse in 1973 and remains valid today.”

According to Dave Miller, Sun City Posse operations officer, the agency canceled transports to and from hospitals; canceled several events, including the Posse open house, a shred-a-thon and the drug take back day; canceled all ride alongs; and limied member access to those on patrol, dispatch or management activities. The Posse’s front lobby is also now closed to the public, he added.

“We will continue to support to Sun City Fire and Medical Department and conduct welfare check activities with new guidance that limit interaction with the general population, yet performs these functions as well as possible,” Mr. Miller stated.

Posse officials also modified its transport procedures for people in distress to allow those to continue safely, according to Vicki Feolsch, Sun City Posse executive officer.

“We have installed a sanitation station in the parking lot to be used before and after patrols,” she stated.

The sanitation station has a bleach/water mix that is used to disinfect the interior of the patrol cars before and after patrol shifts, she added. Duty officers also verify the health of their patrol and dispatch members with a digital thermometer to make sure they do not have a fever.

“Posse members have been advised to monitor their own health and notify their division lieutenant of any issues,” Ms. Feolsch stated. “We are implementing a one person per patrol car policy.”

The Pose continues to be busy, with 1,847 total activities in March, according to Mr. Miller.

“Through Welfare Checks we clear a significant number that otherwise would be left to MCSO,” he stated. “Given our location and focus, the Posse can respond quickly and in the majority of cases resolve the issue.”

Mr. Nonini stated Posse patrol of neighborhoods, malls, vacation watch and welfare checks focused on Sun City provides a highly visible security presence that compliments the limited resources of MCSO.

“In my mind that is the definition of essential,” he stated.

Like other first responders, the Posse is seeing increased calls for service.

“The Posse is not a replacement for these organizations,” Mr. Nonini stated. “We are a supplement to them and can deal with many daily issues without putting additional strain on critical first responders.”

Like others, the Posse is adjusting to difficult times.

“I believe the Posse’s protection of Sun City adds to the safety of our community,” Mr. Nonini stated.