They drove 3,641 kilometres in 2011 and put in 733 volunteer hours trying to do their part to help keep Innisfail safe.
Those statistics from Innisfail RCMP show the hard work the local branch of Citizens on Patrol put in. They have 19 active members who take on tasks from helping block roads for special events to patrolling the town keeping an eye out for suspicious activities for the RCMP.
"You watch for vandalism, impaired drivers, crime in progress, people in need," said Bob Bartlett, the chair of the Citizens on Patrol committee.
"We are always looking for volunteers," Bartlett said. Those who volunteer don't have to commit to a particular schedule or even have to patrol.
"Because we're volunteers, we patrol when we're capable of doing it," Bartlett said. He himself goes out about two or three times a month, while other members don't patrol at all but assist at special events and going to meetings.
"We meet once a month," Bartlett said.
Bartlett said Citizens on Patrol has been active in Innisfail for about 20 years, putting in "a lot of people hours."
Patrols occur with a minimum of two people. Bartlett said before starting those on patrol must call into "control" and get an RCMP member to call them back so the RCMP know who is out and for how long. Patrollers have to call back when they're done for the night.
"We patrol randomly," Bartlett said, going through the residential, business and industrial areas of Innisfail.
"When we're on patrol we are eyes and ears for the RCMP," said Bartlett. "We do not put ourselves in danger or get out of our vehicles."
For example, if observing a bar fight, Bartlett said the role is to take notes from the vehicle for the RCMP rather than try and get involved.
Citizens on Patrol is credited with saving two lives by spotting people who'd passed out in the cold while walking home at night, he said.
Still, most nights the Tim Hortons is the busiest place in town, Bartlett said. "It's so boring," he said.
Notes can be used by the RCMP and sometimes the volunteers can be called on to testify in court as to what they saw.
In addition to looking for more volunteers, Bartlett's hoping the group can get some more funding. He said some businesses in town do offer support, but more funds can always be used, especially towards equipping volunteers with safety gear. Bartlett said the kits they try and come up with can cost $1,000 each.
Bartlett's also hoping the town could use the group for more things, like helping try and spot targets of local Amber Alerts or being tapped to help with road closures.
Those interested in volunteering have to get a criminal record check done. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month, though the location changes. To contact Citizens on Patrol, call Bartlett at 403-392-2692.
"Everybody in the community should get out and do it a couple of times," Bartlett said.
Cpl. A.J. Mand said the program is a good way for the community to get involved, be eyes and ears for the RCMP and help keep the community safe.
"We highly support the program," Mand said.
