Smithers town council is throwing its support behind the resurgent Smithers Citizens on Patrol (SCOP) group.
At its March 12 regular meeting, council welcomed a delegation from the society who provided an update.
Historically, the town and the Smithers RCMP have worked closely with Citizens on Patrol at the Community Policing Office in downtown Smithers.
The Citizens on Patrol Program is part of a BC-wide network to observe and report suspicious criminal activity.
Later in the evening, council unanimously voted to direct staff to sign the letter of agreement to work with the Smithers Citizens on Patrol Society and the RCMP to provide community safety initiatives.
The Town of Smithers, RCMP, and the SCOP still have the Citizens on Patrol materials and SCOP vehicle. Additional materials needed for the daily operations of SCOP activities will be provided by SCOP.
Fundraising for the sustainment of the society will be the sole responsibility of the society, however, the town’s grant writer may be available to help.
The society is still looking for a few more volunteers.
To be accepted into the program, volunteers have to pass an interview and criminal record check. A valid driver’s licence is required for those volunteers who will drive the COP vehicle.
SCOP patrollers are expected to be eyes and ears only and not try to intervene if they witness a crime in progress, but rather alert the proper authorities.
Shifts vary, but are typically scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights, during which volunteers will drive around the hot spots in a marked vehicle.
At a meeting in December, a board was established. When it started here 25 or so years ago, according to organizers, it was quite an informal organization but in order to comply with current legislation, they now have to operate as a society.
Also, the society had to adopt a new liability policy, take increased financial measures and adopt bylaws to comply with the Societies Act of B.C.
The proposed programs are scheduled for vehicle patrols only and will not include bicycle or foot patrols at this time.
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