October 23-29, 2011 is Manitoba’s Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP) Week and Steinbach’s COPP group is holding one of their regular meetings at City Hall on Monday, October 24th, and it will be a bit of an open house event!
Members of the public are invited to City Hall on Monday, between 7 – 8 pm, enjoy some refreshments, and talk to a few of the COPP volunteers to hear about their experiences as volunteers patrolling our community. This is an opportunity to thank these volunteers for giving their time to patrol, and if interested, to pick up an application to become a member of the local COPP chapter and make a difference in our community.
The COPP, sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance, continues to gain popularity throughout the province. There are now 66 active groups and 1,800 COPP volunteers dedicated to reducing crime within their communities and neighbourhoods, said Ted Hlynsky, vice-president, claims control and safety operations of Manitoba Public Insurance.
“COPP is a grassroots program specifically designed to serve as a highly visible crime deterrent,” said Hlynsky. “This crime-prevention and education program provides additional eyes and ears for the local police agencies.”
This year marks the 10th Annual Citizens on Patrol Week, announced by Attorney General Andrew Swan, minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance.
“This grassroots program has successfully stopped criminal activities and heightened people’s awareness of public safety,” Swan said today. “I can think of no better way to recognize the fine efforts of these volunteers than to have a special week for the Citizens on Patrol.”
COPP Week – October 23-29 – kicks off with a provincial conference in Winnipeg this weekend where program representatives from across Manitoba will meet to share successes, discuss challenges and to hear from speakers who can help them become more effective.
Over the past year several COPP groups have begun working on raising awareness of road safety risks in their communities. Groups have participated in initiatives such as speed-reader board monitoring, auto crime vehicle audits, patrolling at school crossing zones, identifying impaired drivers on the road and conducting seatbelt and cell phone use surveys in conjunction with the RCMP.
COPP volunteers provided nearly 35,000 patrol hours last year in Manitoba and 48,000 hours of volunteer service related to the program.
Manitoba Public Insurance provides funding and co-ordination of the program in co-operation with Manitoba Justice, Manitoba Housing, the Winnipeg Police Service, the RCMP, the Brandon Police Service and other municipal police services.
For more information on COPP, click here.
