Warren County Sheriff’s Office Brings ID Program and Outreach to Local Seniors

The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is working hard to strengthen ties with the community, and Bob Battani, a Community Services Specialist, is at the heart of that effort—especially with the county’s seniors.

Bob Bettini is helping lead a growing community program focused on safety, connection, and service. As part of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, he is offering free senior identification cards to residents who may no longer carry a driver’s license or other official ID.

Bob Battani, Community Services Specialist with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, makes an ID card for Dorothy Finnell at the Senior Center.

“I’m here to take pictures and get information from the seniors,” Battani said. “We have an ID card that we give to the seniors in case they don’t have their own driver’s license. If they need a second ID, it is issued by the Sheriff’s Department.”

But these cards offer more than just identification. “We also put the medications and their allergies on it,” he explained. “That’s maybe not something they would have on any other ID.”

As seniors age and mobility becomes a challenge, many stop driving or forget to carry identification—Battani issues these cards on site, which can provide vital information in an emergency.

A Safe Program — No Data Stored

Baettani was clear: “There is no database. We do not keep any of the information. Once I put the information into the computer and I make the card, then at that point, I hit a start-over, and all that information is gone.”

This same principle applies to another Sheriff’s Office service—child fingerprinting and photo IDs. “We give [the parents] a thumb drive. So in case something does happen, they have the information,” Battani said. “But again, there is no database. For privacy reasons, we don’t keep anything.”

Background in Law Enforcement

Battani is no stranger to public safety. Although he officially joined the Warren County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year, he has decades of experience in law enforcement and private security.

“I was with the Winchester Police Department in their VIP program, and I’ve also been an auxiliary police officer for Fairfax County. But my real job, the one I retired from, was Director of Security for Booz Allen Hamilton,” he said.

Programs for Youth: From Fishing Poles to Career Paths

While helping seniors is a big part of Bettini’s mission, the Sheriff’s Office is also expanding outreach to local youth through the PAL (Police Athletic League) and the Explorer Program.

“The PAL Program is more sports-related, and it’s for the younger kids,” Battani said. “Then they can go into the Explorers Program… and eventually, hopefully, we’ve convinced them to come to the Sheriff’s Department and become a deputy.”

These programs don’t just teach sports or law enforcement—they build relationships. “It’s a real way to immerse them in the law enforcement arena in a friendly way,” he said. “Not that they’re in the backseat of the cruiser.”

Already this year, the Sheriff’s Office has hosted fishing events like “Cops and Bobbers” and is planning a first responder softball tournament. A civilian board has also been created to help run PAL events. There’s even talk of a golf tournament to support the effort financially.

Working Across Jurisdictions

Battani made a point to highlight the teamwork between local law enforcement.

“Front Royal and the Sheriff’s Department work really close together. They team up on different activities,” he said. “National Night Out is coming up in August, and they will be working together on that. It helps that Sheriff Cline used to be part of the Police Department, so there’s that connection.”

Battani himself lives in Frederick County but volunteers his time in Warren County. “I felt compelled to come over here and help with Warren County,” he said. “I really enjoy working with the Sheriff’s Office right now.”

Bringing the Senior ID Program to More Places

Although this day’s event was held at the Senior Center, Battani hopes to expand the ID card effort to other locations across the county.

“We belong to the TRIAD program,” he said, referencing the group that connects law enforcement with senior services and advocates. “We just had a meeting last week talking about reaching out to other assisted living and senior facilities.”

And it’s not limited to seniors at community centers. “They can reach out to the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency number and ask for Captain Myrtle,” Battani explained. “If there’s a group of seniors that would like ID cards made, we can do that. All this is in a package, in a suitcase—so, have suitcase, will travel.”

To inquire about scheduling a Senior ID or children’s fingerprint event, residents can contact the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at the non-emergency number 540-635-4128 and ask for Captain Frank Myrtle, Support Services.

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