Getting some extra eyes and ears on the community is the goal.
The Ponoka Citizens on Patrol (COP) Society is hoping to re-establish the program in town, according to the society’s current chair Doug Gill.
“I’ve had some people call about the program recently and some former members have talked to me about some members of the public talking to them about trying to get it going again,” Gill said in a phone interview.
Gill explained he decided to get the word out to gauge what kind of interest is out there for people to volunteer to be a part of COP and help keep Ponoka safer.
“Over the past two years, the patrol has been inactive due to members leaving the community, members retiring and some pursuing other interests. One cannot help but notice that the first two pages of the Ponoka News most often highlight crimes in our community,” Gill added.
COP works with the local RCMP and members - who must be at least 18 - undergo criminal record checks plus a training program. Members sign up for patrols and work in pairs.
Gill stated meetings are kept to a minimum, as the emphasis is on getting members out on patrol and providing the police with more eyes on the streets. He also said COP is a good way to get involved in the community.
For more information on COP or how to become a member, contact Gill by calling (403) 783-3233 or (403) 783-1595.