Citizens on Patrol keeps Strathmore safe

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Armed with only themselves and a friend in their vehicle, a crime tracking app, contact with the local RCMP and probably a couple of coffees, members of the Strathmore Citizens on Patrol (COP) work long hours throughout the night to help keep Strathmore safe by patrolling the streets and reporting anything suspicious to the Strathmore RCMP.
Only last year, Strathmore COP become an association under the Alberta Citizens on Patrol. Strathmore COP is currently operating with only 10 members and is hoping to grow its member base with the goal of completing more patrols and helping to catch and report more suspicious activity and crimes.
“I personally joined because I just don’t like seeing people get away with things that they’re not supposed to be doing,” said Crystal Johansen, vice-president of COP. “People work hard for the things they have and I know the RCMP are very busy. So, for us to be out there and to be extra eyes and ears for them, I felt that this is the least I can do.”
With a goal for each member to complete at least one patrol a month, two members of COP pair up for a night of driving around town to spot any suspicious behaviour. They track their locations and time spent patrolling on the iPatrol+ app, and record any incidents. If members run into anything suspicious they also call it into the RCMP.
There is currently no set schedule for patrols; however, members are encouraged to patrol when they can. Night shifts last approximately seven hours or less depending on how busy the night is. Members check in with the RCMP every night they are out, and the COP also has a monthly meeting with the Strathmore RCMP to discuss any questions, areas of town that need more patrolling than others and other important information.
“They are a great benefit to us and to the community as a whole. They act as another set of eyes for us … they are a benefit to the community as they are upstanding citizens who are volunteering their time to help make the community a safer place,” said Strathmore RCMP Cpl. Robert Kuehn.
One useful tool to members is a crime statistics map located on the RCMP and Victim Services page on the Town of Strathmore website.
The map includes crime data from within Strathmore for the past 14 days, which aids in COP members knowing which areas need a little more patrolling.
Although there is no ideal number of patrollers for the town, the more members of COP the better, as more members mean more nights will be patrolled and having more than one patrol out per night can also be of benefit for the town.
“Police work is best done with the help of the people in the community, as we cannot be everywhere at once,” said Kuehn. “Having those extra sets of eyes watching and reporting what is going on is a great benefit to us.”
On nights when patrols are out, every community in Strathmore is patrolled for suspicious people and behaviours. Bars are also watched closer to closing time, and on quiet nights COP members will check neighbourhoods for garage or car doors that have been left open – COP members will let residents know if they find open doors.
To volunteer for Strathmore COP, email strathmorecop@gmail.com requesting an application form. The completed form can be dropped off at the Strathmore RCMP detachment, and volunteers must provide proof of a valid driver’s licence as well as complete a criminal record check.
Once approved, applicants will be contacted with more information and meeting dates.
A training course is being offered this spring. Members of the COP are covered by the association’s insurance for both them and their vehicles.
“We want to make a difference, we’re tired of the crime in town and we just do what we can,” said Johansen. “There’s a lot of nights that nothing happens when we’re out on patrol, but that just means it’s a good night for Strathmore.”