Chestermere’s RCMP and Citizens on Patrol (COP) are partnering up to help secure property and reduce crime in the city.
“With the help of Citizens on Patrol, we’re rolling out a theft prevention program which is geared towards both public education but also pro-active measures to help people secure their property,” said Chestermere RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz.
Volunteers from within COP will be conducting walking patrols along residential streets to check for and lock unsecured vehicles.
An on duty RCMP member will be tasked to supervise the volunteers who will be clearly marked with high visibility vests and photo identification.
Bob and Natasha Eden have both volunteered to participate in the new program.
The patrols, which Wielgosz hopes to see start by the end of February, will see volunteers like the Eden’s walking the streets and checking to see that cars are both locked and do not have valuables visible.
Volunteers will not disturb anything in the cars, they will simply drop a pamphlet in and then lock the door.
Any car found to be unlocked and running or with valuables unattended inside will lead to volunteers knocking on the person’s door and remind them to secure their belongings.
“It’s to make people more aware,” said Bob of the program.
The couple are volunteering as a way to participate in the community and help make Chestermere safer.
“Law enforcement doesn’t have the ability to cover every street in the city 24-7,” said Bob.
“You’re there as another set of eyes for the RCMP,” he said.
The hope is that not only will the program have a noticeable effect on crime rates in the city but that it will also inspire others to get involved and volunteer.
“Even if it’s one patrol a week or one a month that’s better than nothing,” said Wielgosz, “and from there I think we can build on this program and gain more interest.”
Currently, there are about 36 volunteers with COP and 5 who have joined the foot patrol program.
Natasha said that she volunteered because she, “wanted to be involved in the community.”
“What we want to try an encourage is get more involved in your community, get more participation, share information and you’ll find things will improve,” said Bob.
