CREMONA - A Village of Cremona councillor says he is interested in getting a Citizens on Patrol (COP) group started in the community.
With crime seemingly getting worse, it makes sense to have a citizen group help out, said Joseph Shi.
"There are many vehicle break-ins here and almost every business has had a break-in," said Shi. "The post office has been broken into many times. There are a lot of things happening.
“Several residents have had their cars stolen 10 minutes after they started warming them up. They walked back into the house and it was stolen."
Shi said he was told by the police that after Carstairs started up its COP group the situation there improved.
The group of 10 Cremona residents met on Jan. 20 at the FCSS building in Cremona. Shi said all attendees seemed eager to begin as soon as possible.
The group meets again on March 2 for a formal organizational meeting at the FCSS office.
"During that meeting, there will be a formal election for the chair, secretary and treasurer," he said. "After that meeting, the organization will be incorporated, insurance will be paid, scheduled patrols will be visible in and around the community."
Shi said COP patrols would cover the village and the surrounding area.
"New technology will be used to promptly connect COP members and police on suspected criminal activity," he said. "I'm hoping more people will step up and join."
Shi said the Alberta COP Association has been very helpful, as have other local COP groups and the Didsbury RCMP.
Anyone interested in joining Cremona COP can call Shi at 403-616-4390 for more information or just attend the March 2 meeting.
Meanwhile, the council for the Village of Cremona received an update for the regional recreation plan.
The background information provided to councillors states that the Town of Olds has applied for grant funding as the managing partner under the Alberta Community Partnership Grant for funds to update the Mountain View Regional Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.
Olds is requesting participation from all six Mountain View partner municipalities on the initiative, said Cremona CAO Aaron Gertzen.
Council approved the request, said Gertzen.
In other council news, council approved Bylaw 498-20 which renews the village's operating line of credit.
