Tackling crime a community effort

As police throughout the province cope with an increase in prowlings, break-ins and thefts, the time could not be more appropriate to establish community programs such as Citizens on Patrol (COP).

"With the 30 to 40 per cent increase in property crime in the last two to three years, the timing is really right for such a program," Sgt. Jim Lank told the Round Up minutes before a recent community information meeting outlining the necessary steps to establish a local COP initiative.

"Solving or dealing with the crime problem cannot rest solely with the police — it takes a community effort. Programs such as Citizens on Patrol, Rural Crime Watch, Block Parents, those kinds of programs are all part of the picture of community policing," he said during the Tuesday, May 16 meeting held at the Sundre Community Centre with about a dozen people attending.

These types of initiatives also complement what police already do, he said.

"We can't be everywhere. The COP is the extra set of eyes and ears for the police."

Also presenting at the meeting were local area resident Joanna McKenzie, who has stepped up as the community leader to spearhead the initiative, as well as Ennio Ricci, a director with Alberta Citizens on Patrol in Airdrie.

"I have a lot of friends who were hit hard by property crime in the area," McKenzie said.

"Our crime rates have gone up so much that I suggested that somebody try to do this."

Seeing the need, McKenzie told the Round Up she decided to fill the void to help re-establish the local COP program, which folded in the mid-1990s.

Smaller municipalities benefit from having residents involved in keeping their ears and eyes peeled, said Ricci.

"It's easy to complain, it's easy to run to the detachment. (But) the bottom line is: get involved with the community, do something," he said.

Patrolling members will receive training outlining their expectations and limitations as well as how to compile proper reports that include detailed information that will maximize the police's chances of catching suspects.

"It's really a program that allows the community members to get involved to try and prevent and deter and detect crime," Lank told the Round Up.

"It's established and sustained by the community, and it's a program that is supported by the RCMP."

Basic requirements to become a COP volunteer include being at least 18 years of age, being willing to volunteer for at least one, four-hour shift every month, as well as a clear criminal record. However, Lank asked Ricci whether exceptions might be made, pointing out that someone with a prior dating back decades is not necessarily a bad person who cannot positively contribute to the community.

Welcoming a volunteer with, for example, a past impaired driving charge would in that case largely come down to the discretion of the local commanding officer and the COP chair, said Ricci, adding that closely supervising such an individual would be advisable.

A followup meeting to re-establish a local COP board is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 starting at 5 p.m. at the Sundre RCMP detachment. Anyone interested in volunteering as a board member, patroller or both is welcome and encouraged to attend.

"It's a good time to implement such a program and it's certainly going to assist the police in dealing with the crime issue," said Lank.