When it comes to tackling crime, Stacy Wiens appreciates all of the help he can get.
Which is why the Flin Flon RCMP interim sergeant has nothing but praise for the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP).
“I would have to say that the Citizens on Patrol Program is a valuable asset to the RCMP detachment and citizens of Flin Flon,” says Wiens. “The volunteers of the COPP are another set of ‘eyes and ears’ that have resulted in occurrences being reported that may have gone unnoticed. The COPP is a strong indication of the communities’ commitment to make Flin Flon a safer place to live.”
Borne out of a perception that crime in Flin Flon is needlessly high, COPP entered the development phase in the summer of 2014. The group conducted its first patrols that December.
Since then, says chairman Sinclair James, volunteers have logged over 1,100 hours of activity and more than 4,700 km worth of patrols.
“Community monitoring by patrols in vehicles and visibility with foot patrols around neighborhoods is good for public awareness and deterrence,” he says.
“We can’t be everywhere, but when we are there we do something about it. We report suspicious activity as we see it, and leave it to the RCMP to follow up.”
COPP volunteers conduct patrols at all hours of the day, evening and night, depending on each volunteer’s availability. Each patrol involves two volunteers walking or driving for one- or two-hour intervals, sometimes longer.
Volunteers have alerted the RCMP of suspicious activity on at least a dozen occasions, aided a missing-person search and joined Halloween safety patrols.
The organization’s positive impact was not always foreseeable considering only seven people showed up for the first organizational meeting in 2014.
Today, COPP consistently has about 28 volunteers – with new members joining monthly. James finds that the volunteers are now better at observing suspicious activity.
While an enthusiasm runs throughout COPP’s volunteer base, some Flin Flonners have openly wondered whether local crime is simply too sporadic to effectively deter with a patrol program.
To that, James says any type of deterrence is effective. And while frequent break-ins helped propel COPP into existence, he says crime is not limited to break-ins.
“Any time the law is broken is a crime,” he says.
COPP covers only Flin Flon, including Channing, with no plans to expand. Volunteers are, however, willing to help anyone interested in starting a COPP chapter in the surrounding area.
To make its presence known, the group has placed 22 signs in public locations around Flin Flon. The signs signal that COPP is maintaining a watchful eye over the community.
On occasion, COPP door magnets have been placed on patrol vehicles, further raising the profile of the organization and
its work.
As much as public awareness of COPP has grown over the past year, James says some misconceptions remain.
“We are not the police – we are additional ‘eyes and ears’ for them,” he says. “We don’t carry weapons or confront anyone personally.”
COPP’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In addition to positive feedback from residents, the group accepted a certificate of appreciation from the provincial COPP coordinator.
Earlier this month, James agreed to be appointed as the new northern Manitoba regional representative with the COPP Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC).
In this role, he will help maintain current COPP groups and establish new ones. His other duties include providing recommendations to PAC and helping to develop and implement program improvements.
As effective as COPP has been in Flin Flon, James has bigger aspirations for the group.
“I would like to double the number of volunteers so we could have citizens from all parts of Flin Flon and Channing,” he says. “More volunteers [would benefit] ease of scheduling, because at least two volunteers together conduct patrols. We would also have coverage when members are away, ill or just busy doing other things.”
Anyone interested in joining COPP, or starting another COPP chapter, may phone 204-271-4881. More information is available on the Manitoba COPP website by Googling “Manitoba Citizens on Patrol.”
Prevention measures
In addition to community patrols, Flin Flon’s COPP volunteers have undertaken a number of crime-prevention and safety initiatives.
Since last August, they have at times used a digital radar sign to monitor vehicle speeds in the community, including school zones.
Of 708 vehicles observed so far, an average of 29 per cent were speeding in 50 km/h zones. Of 150 vehicles in 30 km/h zones, 45 per cent went too fast.
“Speed monitoring brings awareness of driver’s speeds and driving habits,” says James.
Volunteers have further observed seatbelt and cellphone law compliance among motorists. The seatbelt compliance rate was 92.6 per cent; the cellphone rate near perfect at 99.8 per cent.
COPP has suggested locations for additional streetlights and pointed out lights that need replacing, as light is a proven crime deterrent.
Volunteers have also promoted crime-prevention measures such as encouraging people to lock their home, vehicle and garage doors.
