In response to a spike in property crime rates experienced throughout the province over the past few years, several local and area residents are making an effort to revive the Sundre Citizens on Patrol Society that ceased operating in the mid-'90s.
Following last month's lightly attended general public information presentation about the program that was held at the Sundre Community Centre, about 10 people again gathered at the Sundre RCMP detachment on Tuesday, June 6 to meet with Sgt. Jim Lank to begin planning out the next steps.
Among the numerous details discussed were establishing bylaws, the necessary steps to elect a board, applying for society status, raising funds, collaborating with the Olds Rural Crime Watch Association, and even names for the group, with a preference leaning towards the Sundre Citizens on Patrol Association.
But the informal steering committee that was struck seemed to arrive at the consensus that the community should first of all be thoroughly canvassed for potential applicants who might be interested in volunteering as patrollers, board members or perhaps even both.
"Really, not a whole lot can get going until we have a board," said Lank, the Sundre detachment's commander and liaison officer supporting the community effort to revive Citizens on Patrol.
"We're at the point now where essentially we have to identify potential board members."
Requirements for patrollers include being at least 18 years of age, having within reason a non-existent criminal history, as well as making a commitment to at least once a month go on patrol for a four-hour shift.
Expectations are similar for directors, who must also be willing to serve a two-year term as well as attend regular meetings, which will be scheduled by the board once its members have been elected following the inaugural general meeting. A date was tentatively set for September since it was agreed people would be too busy during the summer, resulting in a lower turnout.
The unofficial steering group also hopes efforts to recruit members throughout the summer will provide sufficient time to rally enough people to hold an election after school starts so the organization can then seek society status. The minimum requirement to establish a board is a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary and at least one director, although there can be as many as five.
"As it gets going, we're going to get more people just by word of mouth," said Lank.
"It will happen."
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, he said.
"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 said, 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.
Applications to get involved are available at the detachment, where they can be submitted once filled out. Although also available online at www.acopa.ca or by doing an Internet search for "ACOPA application," the forms still must be processed at the station. The fledgling group also has a presence on social media called Sundre Citizens on Patrol to keep residents informed of developments.
