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Effort to revive COP takes first step on Friday

The first step in engaging the community in reducing crime is finding out how much interest there still is in programs.

The first step in engaging the community in reducing crime is finding out how much interest there still is in programs like Citizens on Patrol (COP), which this year officially closed down.

To find out the answer for Stettler, the RCMP detachment is holding an information session at the Stettler Recreation Centre, upstairs, on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.

According to Stettler RCMP detachment commander Sgt. Phil Penny, programs like COP are an important aid to police as they work to keep communities safe.

"I think it's important to have volunteers who are willing to assist us, be our eyes in the community," Penny said. "We can't be everywhere...this gives people a change to have a hand in crime prevention."

He said the program, which ran successfully for several years in the community, was very helpful to the local detachment, and he's hoping interest from the community will see it reborn. The information session will explain what's required of volunteers, what sort of involvement is expected of people who sign up to be part of COP, as well as answer any outstanding questions.

"The policing of 30-40 years ago doesn't work," Penny said. "Now, it's a cooperation between everyone. We need the community to be engaged in the solution."

Const. Carter Boytinck, the COP-liaison officer at the detachment, will be addressing the session though Penny said he hoped he would be able to stop in.