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“eyes and ears of the community”

New members, expanded duties for Citizens on Patrol

Oct 18, 2019 | 3:34 PM

,A recent recruiting drive that helped Red Deer Citizens on Patrol (COP) welcome 14 new members is also helping them expand the work they do to help police make the community safer.

COP is teaming up with Red Deer RCMP to do foot patrols of the downtown area.

“Historically, patrols were conducted predominantly in private vehicles, surveying different areas from afar,” explained Cst. Derek Turner with the Community Policing Unit. “Now we’re switching to doing visible foot patrols with concentration on our downtown core.”

COP teams will make note of criminal or suspicious behaviour and report it to RCMP officers, acting as extra eyes and ears for City Mounties. Patrol members will also speak directly with business or individuals who might need help.

COP volunteers are given professional training and equipment to help keep them safe while patrolling.

“It’s very exciting. We haven’t had this much interest in Citizens on Patrol for as long as I can remember,” shared Tyler Magill, President, Red Deer Citizens on Patrol. “Going forward we’re going to have a lot more success with more members.”

Magill added, “I believe it’s the responsibility of every citizen of Red Deer to give back and be part of the community and to make it safer for everyone.”

The early response to the downtown foot patrols, Turner says, has been positive.

“When I took them out a couple of weeks ago for their first walk downtown, it was absolutely amazing, the feedback they got from everyone. People were honking their horns, waving stopping and saying thank you. Business owners were offering them coffee and food and everything. They just loved it.

“It just gives comfort to the people that use and work downtown to know there’s people looking out for them,” Turner added.

Existing Citizen on Patrol initiatives such as Lock it or Lose It will continue along with the addition of the downtown foot patrols.

To join Red Deer Citizens on Patrol, visit the Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre website.