BELFAST – With the price of gasoline creating problems for the local senior citizen transportation agency, the Belfast Police Department has decided to lend an hand.

Police Chief Jeffrey Trafton has volunteered the use of his patrol cars for elderly residents needing a ride to the or their doctor. Trafton said police officers would be more than willing to provide a ride during their free moments.

“If it’s somebody who just needs a ride, by all means,” Trafton said Thursday.

Trafton said he decided to offer the service after learning from Waldo County Transportation that their program had taken a hit because of the high price of gas.

The agency has a number of volunteer drivers and reimburses them per mile. He said some of the drivers had backed away from the program because it was costing them money.

“I told them if they ran into a jam to give us a call.” said Trafton. “In today’s budgets you have to get the most out of your money and that’s what I looked at.”

Trafton said he advised Waldo County Transportation to contact the department in cases where they need an officer to help out.