Resident Info Citizens on Patrol Program
The goal of the Citizens on Patrol Program is to have residents participate in a community based crime prevention patrolling initiative, dedicated to improving the safety of their community through deterence,education and awareness in cooperation with the local RCMP detatchement.
Deterrence: to provide a presence in the community through patrolling by vehicle, by foot, by bicycle or other means, as required.
 
Education: to educate Manitobans about crime prevention.
 
Awareness: to increase Manitobans’ awareness of crime-related issues such as theft (B & E's), auto theft and speeding.
 
The South St. Clements COPP was established in March 2004 with a patrol area that covers approximately 70 KMS from the East St Paul boundary north, to highway 44 including Lockport to highway 9,the St. Clements Industrial Park,and Henderson Highway to highway 59 including the Pineridge Trailer Park.
 
Patrols are done in teams of two and are anywhere from 2-3 hours in duration. At the start of patrol, a direct call is made to the RCMP to advise that a patrol is starting, and at the end of the patrol another call is made advising completion. Personal cell phones are carried and any suspicious activity is called in and reported to the RCMP. Members do not get involved in any confrontation and are acting only as additional eyes and ears for the RCMP.
 
Members wear reflective COPP vests and have signage on their vehicles when out patrolling.
Ensuring security of vehicles and assisting with parking at the annual Lockport Festival and also extra patrols at the Pineridge Trailer Park during their annual Canada Day celebrations are other ways our members have assisted their community.
 
The Speedwatch program has been done by COPP members with the results being reported to MPI, the RCMP and the RM of St. Clements to assist them in determining specific areas of concern.
 
Volunteers borrow radar operated speed reader boards that display the posted speed limit and the driver’s speed. They set up the equipment in a safe location off the road where drivers can see it, and during the days and times when the volunteers feel speeding is the worst.
 
Today, there are 62 COPP groups registered with the Manitoba Citizens on Patrol Program.
 
Our group is very fortunate to have support from our RCMP detatchment in Selkirk and have a constable assigned as our liason officer to keep us informed of any areas of concern to watch for.
 
Our mayor and council support our efforts and provide our group with in-put on by-laws and respond quickly to any safety concerns we report such as missing signage etc.
 
We are looking for individuals who...
  • Are interested in making a difference in your community.
  • Have been looking for a way to get involved in your community. 
  • Are interested in volunteering a few hours a month to patrol to help keep the community safe.
Interested individuals 18 years of age and older will be required to complete a volunteer application and pass a criminal record check.  New members will receive training and be scheduled for patrol.  Patrol shifts will be flexible to fit your schedule.
 
For further information please contact the municipal office at (204) 482-3300