The effort to revive a local Citizens on Patrol program is gearing up for the next crucial step.
Sundre and surrounding area residents who are concerned about crime are encouraged to participate in the upcoming annual general meeting, information session and election, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 13 starting at 7 p.m. at the Sundre Community Centre.
An informal steering committee supported by the Sundre RCMP detachment's Sgt. Jim Lank has been meeting monthly over the summer to discuss ideas to generate interest and recruit potential board members, volunteer community patrollers or both.
The sergeant informed the committee during a meeting held earlier in August at the Sundre Anglican Church that about a dozen applications had been submitted so far.
"People do have to attend (the local detachment) in person because they have to complete the other consent form," he said, referring to the application process, which involves a criminal background check.
However, volunteers who have a record of some kind should not necessarily be summarily dismissed or disqualified from joining Citizens on Patrol, he said.
"There's some wiggle room depending on what the group wants as far as eligibility. My thought on this ó and I've mentioned it before ó is a minor and/or dated criminal record shouldn't prevent someone from being found suitable."
Many people who could potentially contribute positively to their community have existing records, and such applicants should be considered on a case-by-case basis, he said.
"I'm very reluctant to take that hard stand and say, ëIf you have a record, don't apply.'"
But in order to even get off the ground, the board requires a minimum of a president, vice-president, chair, secretary, treasurer, as well as several directors.
"Really, not a whole lot can get going until we have a board," Lank said during an earlier meeting.
Citizens on Patrol is a community program run by local volunteers with support from the RCMP in the shared goal of protecting a municipality and its surrounding area.
"It engages community members, and it is the extra set of ears and eyes for the police, because we can't be everywhere and see everything all of the time," he previously told the Round Up, adding that any efforts that assist the RCMP to detect and deter crime are beneficial to everyone.
Volunteers who patrol will receive some training as well as coordinate with members of the detachment and check in before and after shifts.
The initiative to revive the program in Sundre, which ceased operating in the mid-90s, stems largely from a spike in property crime rates experienced throughout the province over the past few years.
Visit Sundre Citizens on Patrol on Facebook to follow updates and developments, or contact the local RCMP detachment at 403-638-3675 for more information.
