Olds Rural Crime Watch Association (ORCWA) members are being encouraged to take advantage of crime reduction training being offered by the Olds Citizens on Patrol Society (COP).
During the recent association meeting in council chambers, Olds COP member and facilitator Jennifer Lutz spoke about opportunities for cooperation between the groups.
The ORCWA works with police and other stakeholders to reduce crime in the region. Although the association does not itself conduct community patrols, it works with groups such as COP, which does conduct patrols.
The COP training includes how to record and document suspicious activities and vehicles. COP members conduct routine patrols in the community, reporting their findings to the RCMP.
Judy Schlichenmayer, secretary of ORCWA said, “What we are recommending is that you take the training through COP. I think the advantage of getting the training is you know what to look for and how to document.
“What we are trying to do is develop a culture in the rural area where we look out for our neighbours and when we see something that is out of place you feel comfortable calling the police. We want to get them (police) the information that they need to do their job.”
Jennifer Lutz said COP would welcome ORCWA members taking part in training.
“I would definitely recommend the training,” said Lutz. “We actually have a video link so you don’t even have to leave your living room. It’s online and it’s quite helpful for everybody.
“The technology is really great for patrolling. It allows really good communication with the RCMP. There is definitely better communication with RCMP using the cellphone technology. They text us and give us hot spots to patrol. The technology is really helping us.”
Citizens on Patrol in Olds currently has 55 active members, who take part in about 200 volunteer hours per month, she said, noting goals for 2019 include increasing patrols, increasing awareness about COP, and recruitment.
During Lutz’s presentation members brainstormed ideas for moving the association forward over the next years.
Suggestions included take part in COP training, conducting joint promotion activities with COP, working more closely with the provincial rural crime association, hosting special community events, recruiting younger members, and increasing communication with the area RCMP detachments.
For more information on ORCWA, see www.oldsruralcrimewatch.ca.
Following Lutz’s presentation, Olds RCMP Cpl. Courtney Harding said there has been a recent decline in rural crime in the region, thanks in part to the work of COP and rural crime watch members.
She said the majority of property crime taking place in the district is being committed by individuals coming into the area from outside communities.
She called on community members to continue to promptly report suspicious activities to police.
“If you think it’s suspicious, call it in. Give us a call. It doesn’t hurt,” said Harding.
Mountain View County and Red Deer County peace officers also gave verbal reports during the Nov. 28 crime watch meeting.
