Members of the Ponoka Citizens in Patrol Society (COPS) are gearing up for a busy season.
Ponoka’s chairperson, Doug Gill, says the group is readying itself for its first organizational meeting set for Thursday, March 31, which is open to the public.
The meeting is to be held at the Ponoka RCMP detachment and is meant as a way to revitalize the society in town and garner interest. “In light of what’s happening in our society and our community,” said Gill of the reasoning.
He says police are supportive of the program and added that Ponoka COPS are ready to provide training and liability insurance in conjunction with the Alberta Citizens on Patrol Association.
Gill said planners are ready to move and support RCMP by conducting active patrols through the community. COPS also wants to work closely to support community businesses. Doing that will be a combination of patrols and being in close contact with police should their presence be needed.
“We need people behind the wheels doing patrols a few nights a week,” said Gill.
COPS will play a passive role in law enforcement by contacting police who have the authority to intervene. “Anytime we go out there we report to them.”
The goal is to have an active unit up by the end of April. For more information contact Gill at: 403-783-3233.