Citizens on Patrol Part l

Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.)had a good turn out of about 20-25 people about a ¼ of them came from St Ives who already have their own COP. Troy Beauregard and Jonathan Spooner came from the RCMP to support the start of the North Shuswap COP. The officers made it clear this is not a RCMP program but one of the communities,  they are there to support  the citizens- not lead them. The RCMP does appreciate the support of the community by being the eyes and ears for the RCMP. There are some good examples of successful COPs in Chase and Salmon Arm. There is also a need for a COP in the Sorrento and Squilax area.

                Generally volunteers when patrolling will go out with a partner, have ID cards and could also have jackets and magnetic signs to identify themselves as COP volunteers.  Patrols would generally be on weekends, holidays and centered around areas of potential criminal activity. All volunteers in the COP would need to get a record check. It is a simple procedure of supplying; ID to be photo copied and fill out 2 pieces of documents and bring them to the RCMP station. It would take 2-3 weeks to process.  There is no fingerprinting and follow ups are only if something in the application needs looking deeper into. The time commitment would vary; “as a rule of thumb” if there were 12 people, one would only have to go out once every; 5 weeks.  If there was 30 members than it would than be once every; 10 weeks. The time could be from 11:00 PM to 3 to 4 AM. The high profile of COP is to not only see and report unusual activity but; to let people know you are out there and helping the community be more aware that they  can help prevent crime. There are many examples where COP has made a real difference.

                Starting up needs people and the money end of supporting COP can come from many other  sources. The North Shuswap Safety & Police Advisory Committee (The Chair Lynda Sutton and committee has been instrumental in getting COP of the ground) has money to kick start the program. I have funds from the CSRD Grants In Aid that can be made available, businesses have been supportive and would likely provide some funding and as well those residents who cannot volunteer often want show cash donations as support.  ICBC will support programs if COP wants to take them on, such as preventing people; talking on cell phones and not using seat belts  while driving and If all that fails there could be fund raising programs also to supplement any funds needed for COP.