AARP Chapter 632 met Thursday, Oct. 27, at the James B. Allen Generations Center with 20 members and guests present. Elizabeth Gaye, president, presided.

Following a potluck meal, Winchester Chief of Police Kevin Palmer spoke. He told us he had been on the police force 30 years and chief of police 20 years. The average time for one to serve as chief is four years. He said Winchester, with a population of 16,000, has 34 officers — four are on duty 24/7.

Each officer works 10 hour shifts. Winchester has five detectives. He said it costs $100,000 to train and pay for equipment including a car for each officer.

Chief Palmer said police answered 40,000 calls last year. Average response time was two minutes.

Some programs the Winchester police conduct include “911 Kids” and the “Police Explorer” program for high school freshmen, to make young people aware of the dangers of drugs.

Palmer warned us not to divulge personal information on the phone and to be wary of strangers. He also informed us that we only have to dial 911 for emergency situations. We don’t need to give our location; the police have the information they need with which to respond. He also noted we should post our house numbers on our homes as well is on our mailboxes.

Next, Betty Ratliff Smith told us a true ghost story about a house her family once lived in on Main Street.

Joyce Barnes followed with the treasurer’s report. We will give to charities in December.

 Officers nominated for 2017 are: Elizabeth Gaye, president; steady pace, vice president; Colista Ledford, secretary; and Joyce Barnes, treasurer.

There will be no November meeting. The next meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8.