CARSTAIRS - The Carstairs Citizens on Patrol (COP) community support organization is looking for new members to help keep local homes, buildings and businesses safe, says president Ernie Bradley.
He appeared before council as a delegation at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting to outline recent activities and some plans going forward.
“We are always looking for more members,” Bradley told the Albertan in a followup interview, noting members must be adults and must have their own vehicle.
COPs member patrol the streets of Carstairs, reporting suspicious activities and/or persons to RCMP, but do not engage or apprehend offenders.
Over the past 10 months, COP members have logged 180 hours of patrolling over 45 nights, travelling an estimated 2,295 kilometres using private vehicles.
The group currently has 13 members on patrol, with one recently stepping down due to health reasons.
Most of the group’s recent patrols were completed on weekends but also included patrols during the weekdays.
“We patrol and physically check nine town operated buildings and community buildings,” he said. “Emergency services has contacted us with requests to increase patrols of certain properties.
“We have been asked to return and make a follow up patrol through the campground.”
The group made 234 patrols in 2023 and are in line to conducted about 212 this year.
Volunteers always patrol in pairs; they never patrol alone. The volunteers always carry ID identifying them as COP members.
COP members are required to take criminal record and vulnerable sector checks through the RCMP.
Anyone interested in becoming a COP member can call Bradley at 403-466-4422 or visit [email protected].
Council accepted the delegation report as information.
