(Battlefords Citizens on Patrol/Facebook)

By Angela Brown

Community safety

Battlefords Citizens on Patrol looking for more volunteers

Jan 20, 2022 | 4:13 PM

The Battlefords Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) hopes to get more new members to help keep the community safe.

The COPP is comprised of local volunteers, ages 18 and over, whose efforts assist the various protective services agencies in the community.

The group’s treasurer Naomi, who prefers not to give her last name to protect her privacy, said she has been involved with the group for the past six or seven years.

Currently the group has about 20 member volunteers, but fewer groups have been heading out on patrols since the pandemic started.

“At times we would have two or three cars go out on a weekend, where now we might be down to one group of patrols,” Naomi said.

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The benefit of having more patrols active, she said, is that it serves as “more eyes and ears on the street” for the RCMP.

Each patrol lasts about three to four hours, and involves driving around North Battleford and Battleford looking for unusual activity, such as garage doors or car doors open, as well as keeping an eye out for stolen vehicles that have been reported. People can choose whether they prefer to patrol in the daytime or evening.

“Anything that we see that is maybe out of ordinary, a fire, or a person who is in need on the street in the cold we would call that in to the RCMP and they would [send a] dispatch,” Naomi said. “A garage door open could mean a few things – either they just forgot to shut it, or it could be a break in in progress or that has already happened.”

The long-time volunteer said there is no risk for those who sign up to be a member. Groups of about two or three stay in their vehicle when they conduct a patrol, and merely observe and report if they do see something suspicious.

Naomi said she became involved in the group to curb the crime since she has had her property broken into a few times. But she also enjoys the camaraderie, getting to know other like-minded citizens in the group and develop new friendships.

RCMP Cpl. James Fenrich, the main liaison for the COPP, said the members play an important part in helping deter crime.

“I think the COPP is very valuable,” he said. “It brings the community and the RCMP together and allows people to understand, to get a better picture of what we’re doing.”

Fenrich added the program also enables residents to get involved to help create safer neighbourhoods for everyone.

“I believe that safety is paramount for our community and that everyone has a role to play in that effort,” he said.

To enquire about becoming a member of COPP, people can contact the group at coppnb@outlook.com or via the Battlefords Citizens on Patrol Facebook Page here.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow