A cheque presentation Tuesday demonstrates the continued confidence in Winkler's Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP).
Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt presented a cheque for $5000 on behalf of the Winkler Chamber of Commerce to Dustin Brown, the Coordinator of COPP in Winkler.
The money is an annual grant that comes out of the Police Services budget and flows through the Chamber.
Brown says it helps the organization look after things like administration costs, needed equipment, training, and fuel for volunteers. "We've had really good support. The Chamber of Commerce has looked after our finances right from day one, and it's really nice to have that," said Brown.
Currently, there are 8 active members of Winkler's COPP program, with several members that assist on a casual basis. Brown said they did lose some members during the two years of the pandemic, and notes they are always open to having more members join their team.
"I don't think any number is too high. The more members we have, the better chance that somebody's going to be going out."
There is no minimum commitment for hours to be a COPP volunteer, however, Brown says members are asked to go out at least a few times a year. "Ideally they would go out every couple of months...some people go out for an hour or two, some go out for four or five. That can vary on the weather, or on how busy it is...Traditionally people do go out more on the weekends just based on the schedule that works for them, but we would have people going out on any night of the week."
Winkler Police Chief Ryan Hunt says the department relies on the COPP volunteers that go out, helping them find a crime that's happening in the community, and noticing things that are "out of the ordinary" and they really appreciate the time that's put in.
Hunt says over the years, Winkler's COPP members have been a big help to the police. "There's been a lot of occasions where they've called us and said 'you know, there's someone walking down the street here that looks out of place,' and we go and talk to the person and it turns out they may have just done some mischief somewhere or a theft. It does play a big part in what we do."
Brown said members do not go into a shift unprepared. "Our patrol would typically start with meeting at the police station talking to the members who are working that night, getting in touch to see if there's anything, in particular, going on. After that, we would just be out on the streets looking for suspicious behaviour or vehicles, or crimes in progress, and making a lot of notes and handing it in at the end of the night."
For more information on joining the Winkler's Citizen of Patrol Program, you can contact the Winkler and District Chamber of Commerce office.