Provided everything comes together as planned, volunteer members of the fledgling Sundre Citizens on Patrol Association (SCOPA) are set to begin community surveillance this spring.
Sgt. Jim Lank, commander of the Sundre RCMP detachment and a liaison officer for the association, said during an interview that the revived citizens on patrol program is expected to be fully operational later this spring with members assigned shifts to patrol the streets to provide police with an additional set of eyes and ears in the ongoing effort to curtail property crime.
More than a dozen volunteers completed a mandatory first aid course last week, and are scheduled to soon start training using a reference manual that was developed using the provincial association’s template as a blueprint.
“We hope to have the new Citizens on Patrol program running, with patrollers on the streets, by mid-May just before the long weekend,” said Lank.
“That’s going to be huge for the community — not just Sundre but the surrounding area. We’re looking forward to that.”
The association has about two dozen members, and anyone who might be interested in getting involved is encouraged to contact the local detachment at 403-638-3675, or alternatively call 403-638-8599. Additionally, visit www.SCOPA.co for more information.
“We’re hoping to get as many as 50 patrollers in the program this year in 2018,” the sergeant said.
Since the program is still new, funding remains a top priority to ensure costs such as the initial setup and training, as well as subsequently sustaining the association’s ongoing operating expenses, can be covered, he said.
“It’s really important that we fundraise as much as we can.”
Tickets are currently on sale at the Sundre RCMP detachment as well as the Sundre Fire Hall for the inaugural tri-services regimental ball that takes place Saturday, May 5 at the Sundre Community Centre. Proceeds from the event, which will include a catered supper, live music and a silent auction, will be evenly split among SCOPA, the Sundre Search and Rescue Society as well as the Chinook Arch Victim’s Services Society.
