Citizens on Patrol needs volunteers
By Joan Janzen
Sharon and Richard McLeod enjoy volunteering for Citizens On Patrol. Richard is Acting Vice President and also stands in for President, Mike Brewer, when he is unavailable. There currently are five people who volunteer for Citizens On Patrol. “We’ve lost two volunteers because they have entered a new chapter in their lives,” Sharon explained, adding that others are elderly and no longer able to drive.
Each volunteer goes out on patrol for four hours a month and attends one meeting a month. “At this point, each member takes a weekend,” Sharon said. “Going out on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening are the most common. RCMP request help on the odd Tuesday because of court day and the paperwork they need to do. We work with the RCMP.”
Patrollers stay within the town limits, covering areas from the museum to the cemetery and industrial area. “There’s lots of tools and gas being stolen around there,” Sharon said, referring to the industrial area. “You go where you are needed. There’s always two volunteers in a vehicle. Sometimes volunteers are called on to put up barricades when there’s a fire. Basically, they are extra eyes for the RCMP.”
Volunteers stay in their vehicle. “We have cell phones and contact the RCMP. We know who is on call and RCMP can come out if we feel we need them.”
All volunteers need to submit a criminal record check. “Twelve to fifteen volunteers would be ultimate. That way, we could go out Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings to cover all the busy times,” Sharon said. Although it’s fairly quiet right now, they expect it will be busier in summer.
Citizen On Patrol meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the Masonic Hall at 7:00 p.m. “Come on down, ask questions, get to know the people,” Sharon said. “Application forms are available; it’s not a complicated process. There’s usually an officer there who can answer your questions.”
During the meetings, volunteers share where they travelled, areas that are the busiest, report on road conditions and how many kilometres they travelled. They also get a report from the RCMP regarding what’s happening in town.
Businesses can purchase Citizen on Patrol signs to put in their windows. This also serves as a fundraiser for Citizens On Patrol, which also receives some funding from SGI.
Not only do the volunteers provide a service, but they have some fun as well. “I often have a barbecue in the summer for Citizens On Patrol and the officers,” Sharon said. “This is a good way to meet new officers.”
So, if you have some free time in the evenings, particularly on weekends, and want to help keep our community safe, why not attend a Citizens On Patrol meeting and find out how to volunteer? All you need is a vehicle, a driver’s licence, some free time and a criminal record check.