Several Sundre and surrounding area residents met with Sgt. Jim Lank at the local RCMP detachment last week to discuss the steps required to establish a Citizens on Patrol program.
An informal steering committee was struck as a result of the Tuesday, June 6 discussion, which followed a public information session held last month at the Sundre Community Centre.
Numerous details were discussed, including setting up bylaws, the necessary steps to elect a board of directors, applying for society status, raising funds, the possibility of collaborating with the Olds Rural Crime Watch Association, and even names for the group, with a preference leaning towards the Sundre Citizens on Patrol Association.
But the informal steering committee that was struck agreed that the community should first of all be thoroughly canvassed for potential applicants who might be interested in volunteering as patrollers, board members or perhaps even both.
The unofficial steering group hopes efforts to recruit members throughout the summer will provide sufficient time to rally enough people to hold an election after school starts in September so the organization can then seek society status. The minimum requirement to establish a board is a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and at least one director, although there can be as many as five.
"Really, not a whole lot can get going until we have a board," said Lank, the Sundre detachment's commander and liaison officer supporting the community effort to revive Citizens on Patrol.
"We're at the point now where essentially we have to identify potential board members."
Encouraged to consider applying to help set up a Citizens on Patrol program for Sundre and the surrounding area are any residents who are concerned about the rise in the rates of property crimes in recent years, which have been felt throughout the province.
While our police officers endeavour to do the best they can to curb crime with the resources available at their disposal, they simply cannot be expected to be omnipresent.
"We can't be everywhere and see everything all of the time," said Lank, adding that any efforts that assist the RCMP to detect and deter crime are beneficial to everyone.
The Citizens on Patrol program "engages community members, and it is the extra set of ears and eyes for the police."
Applications to get involved are available at the detachment, where they can be submitted once filled out. Although also available online at www.acopa.ca or by doing an Internet search for "ACOPA application," the forms still must be processed at the station. The fledgling group also has a presence on social media called Sundre Citizens on Patrol to keep residents informed of developments.
See next week for coverage on the unofficial steering committee's June 6 meeting.
ó Simon Ducatel, Round Up editor
