R.U.O.K.? FREE PROGRAM AIDS CITY'S SENIORS

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's a program that's been around since the mid 1990s that checks on the city's elderly. It's the R.U.O.K. program.

According to Lincolnton Police Captain Cindy Monday, currently there about 20 seniors signed up for the free program.

"Each day, Lt. Kent Lukach calls each of the seniors on a list," said Monday. "If there's someone we don't talk to, we call them again."

Monday said if Lt. Lukach doesn't talk to a senior on the second call, police are dispatched to the resident's home.

"It's the personal touch and peace of mind for families, especially those families who live out of town," said Monday.

Residents can sign up for the program by calling the Lincolnton Police Department at 704-736-8900. Calls are made Monday through Friday.

Monday said there's no plans to cancel the program; she's hoping that more seniors will sign up.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has a similar R.U.O.K. program. County residents can sign up for the program by calling the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 704-732-9050.