Flin Flon’s Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) will soon be hitting the streets to help keep residents and their property safe.
With upwards of 25 volunteers on board, the program is on track to begin regular patrols by late November or early December.
“It’s definitely more than enough to start,” says Ben McCutcheon, chair of COPP, referring to the volunteer support.
McCutcheon felt discouraged when only a handful of people showed up at the initial organizational meetings for the program.
But the last three meetings have each seen prior attendance essentially double.
“I think more and more people are just realizing that crime does happen,” says McCutcheon. “It doesn’t matter where in town; it’s still going to happen anywhere.”
The schedule of COPP patrols will not be publicized, allowing volunteers to maintain the element of surprise.
McCutcheon leads an executive that includes Sinclair James as vice-chair, Sherrie Worden as secretary-treasurer and Dave Etienne as head of marketing.
COPP volunteers will travel in teams of two or more people to conduct patrols both on foot and by vehicle.
