An overview of the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) was presented to a group of Kamsack residents on July 9.
The presentation was made by Cpl. Mel Zurevinsky, a member of the RCMP who came to the community from Regina to act as chair for the event, said information received from the meeting.
Speaking to around 40 persons in attendance, Zurevinsky began the public meeting by outlining the recently-launched Saskatchewan Crime Watch Advisory Network, the information said. He encouraged everyone to sign up for the service which sends alerts to an individual’s cellphone, landline, computer or any combination of the three.
Persons wishing more information or to sign up were asked to go to www.saskcrimewatch.ca.
Zurevinsky then proceeded to provide details about COPP.
“The Citizens on Patrol Program is a community led, police supported crime prevention, crime reduction program in Saskatchewan,” he said. “This program has been in existence for decades. There has been a resurgence in interest in COPP as citizens want to contribute to the safety of their community.
“All COPP volunteers patrol in pairs, with their personal vehicles or on foot, and are in direct contact with the RCMP detachment members who are on duty. They are on the lookout for any suspicious or criminal activity, to record the activity and, where appropriate, to report it to the RCMP.
“The COPP is another set of eyes and ears for their community and their detachment, which assist in preventing and reducing crime,” he said.
Zurevinsky listed qualifications needed for an individual to join, which included a minimum age of 18 years and passing a police background check.
It was said that interested individuals should sign up for more information at the meeting, and it was indicated that a subsequent meeting was to be arranged for a later date, which would be announced.
After a brief question-and-answer period, the meeting was concluded.
