Pennsylvania Police Officer's Actions Go Viral After Replacing Elderly Resident's Door Lock
What to Know
- Officer Hobson responded to a call about a suspicious lock on an elderly resident's door.
- He identified the lock as improper and a safety risk, causing the resident to feel unsafe inside her home.
- Going beyond his duties, Hobson purchased and installed a new lock to improve security.
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania -- A Bethlehem Police officer's actions have gone viral on social media after he took additional steps to address a safety concern after responding to a call initially reported as a burglary.
Officer Joshua Hobson was working an overtime shift on Jan. 7 when he was dispatched to the residence, according to a news release.
The call was later determined to involve a suspicious circumstance rather than a burglary, after an elderly resident reported concerns about the lock on her front door.
During the response, Hobson inspected the door and determined that an improper lock had been installed. Police said the condition of the lock left the resident feeling unsafe inside her home, prompting her to sleep in her living room out of concern that someone could gain entry.
According to the department, Hobson went beyond documenting the issue. After leaving the scene, he purchased a proper door lock from a local Home Depot and returned to the residence to install it himself.
Hobson's actions were shared on the police department's social media page and have since been viewed by thousands of people.
Police said the action resolved the immediate safety concern and restored the resident’s sense of security. The department cited the incident as an example of community policing focused on addressing residents’ practical safety needs.