SUNDRE — Like so many other things since the start of the pandemic, local Citizens on Patrol were forced to temporarily hit the pause button on their efforts.
“COVID put a halt on everything in both March and April. Our patrols have been really down all summer because of that, and still continue to be down somewhat,” said Jim Lank, president of Sundre Citizens on Patrol Association (SCOPA).
“Basically, it came out provincially that C.O.P.s all across the province could not do patrols, period. That lasted probably about three months,” Lank said during a phone interview.
“Right now, my biggest concern is that we’re struggling to kind of get back up and running. And COVID I think is a big part of that,” he said.
“I must be honest in saying that I, along with many others, share the same concern that our association is dwindling, and fear the worst case scenario, that SCOPA might fold,” he wrote in his president’s letter to the membership for the Oct. 5 annual general meeting that was attended by about a dozen people.
“Considering how much time and effort has gone into our association, it would be a shame if this were to happen.”
Prior to the outbreak, members — who at the time numbered a little more than 20 — were conducting as many as about 10, four- to six-hour day and night shift patrols per month.
None were carried out during the lockdown, and since they were given the green light to resume patrols in July, he said members have completed several shifts per month following health and safety protocols.
“For a variety of reasons, we have lost a few executive committee members and patrollers,” Lank said during the interview, adding the association now sits at 18 trained members.
Recruiting new patrollers remains a top priority as it has since the start, he said.
“People that have the time, or can make the time, to do that one patrol a month, then we get 20 or 30 people doing that, that’s going to make a difference.”
Implementing and actively sustaining any volunteer group is an ongoing challenge. But anyone who cares about protecting the community and has the time to contribute — the minimum required commitment is for one monthly patrol — is encouraged to consider joining, he said.
“People are quick to complain about all kinds of things, including crime. They’re quick to complain but do nothing about it themselves,” he said.
While police are the most vitally important agency to deal with crime, Lank said officers alone are not the only solution, which requires engaged citizens.
“They’re only part of the picture — it’s a community responsibility,” he said.
“There’s always ongoing communication between SCOPA and the (RCMP) members that are working.”
Lank expressed gratitude not only for the RCMP detachment’s willingness to coordinate, but also for a grant from Mountain View County as well as businesses that have supported fundraising efforts that help to sustain the group’s ability to operate.
“All the feedback’s been very positive from the RCMP. I believe that we have established a good working relationship, good communication.”
From Sept. 1, 2019 to Aug. 31, 2020, SCOPA members carried out 44 patrols, with each outing representing hours for two patrollers. Including administrative duties, that amounts to more than 400 volunteer hours, said Ruby Edwards, secretary-treasurer.
Efforts to recruit members has involved a new, year-long social media campaign spearheaded by local entrepreneur Kim Free, said Lank.
Anyone interested in getting involved can pick up an application at the RCMP detachment. But before starting any patrols, new members must complete a minimum level of training that includes a ride along with police and CPR certification, he said.
And since there is a limited number of in-person training sessions held every year, the association has added a component enabling new members to take the Alberta Citizens on Patrol Association’s course online.
“That’ll allow people to apply and take that online training. We don’t want people to become disinterested because of having to wait,” he said, adding that decision was made during the annual general meeting.
Eventually, new members will still have to finish an in-person training session and complete at least three patrols with an experienced SCOPA patroller, he said.
“This is a new training process.”
Property crime has over the past five years spiked significantly in the fall out of the 2014-15 crash in the price of oil — especially in rural Alberta. And although RCMP observed a slight downward trend over the past year, Lank said that’s no reason to ease up.
“This is the time to step up to ensure that those crime trends either stay where they’re at, or go down,” he said, adding crime deterrence is an on-going effort.
“It’s not the time to become complacent. It’s the time to continue with what we’ve got, and build those programs even further.”
