The Manitoba Driver, from Manitoba Public Insurance
April 2008

About 400 words
Patrolling citizens help keep lid on criminal activity

A small community 20 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg is making the Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) work for them.

Last winter, as surrounding communities suffered through increased numbers of break-ins, Grosse Isle had only one. Bill Massey, a volunteer with Manitoba COPP since 2003, thinks the program had a lot to do with it.

“Just our presence itself is a deterrent against crime,” says the retired school administrator. “As residents of this community, we know what cars people drive and what cars belong where, and community members know us. We know when something’s not right.”

COPP is a community-based crime prevention program in which ordinary citizens help to reduce crime by watching over their communities. Patrols look for any unusual or criminal activity, and report incidents to the police as required.

The volunteer program, which began in 1991, is a co-operative effort between Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Justice and law enforcement agencies throughout the province.

There are currently 80 COPP registered groups in Manitoba.

Manitoba Public Insurance and Manitoba Justice provide support, training and networking opportunities. An advisory committee was established in 1996 to help guide and support the program.

The advisory committee oversees the program in conjunction with the provincial co-ordinator, Riel Dion.

“The committee looks for ways to improve the program so that it better serves the needs of COPP groups across the province,” he says. “We’re attempting to give the committee members more responsibility and get them more involved in the decision-making process.”

One reason the program works is because it functions as a conduit for information between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.

In rural communities, for instance, the RCMP is able to raise awareness of any issues or concerns related to crime through the COPP groups.

This grassroots approach has been very effective in Grosse Isle.

“There’s a little coffee shop in our community, and we have one member who goes there regularly,” says Massey. “If there’s been a rash of snowmobile thefts or something, he lets people know about it and they can take preventive measures.”

Massey says being involved in the program has also been personally rewarding.

“I’ve gotten to know some fine people from the RCMP, the Winnipeg Police Service and Manitoba Justice,” he says. “It’s interesting, and I enjoy being able to provide a service to my community.”

Citizens on Patrol have neither the authority nor the mandate to make arrests, nor to take any action that might jeopardize their own safety or that of the public.

If you would like to find out more about COPP, or if you’re interested in starting a group in your community, call the Manitoba Citizens on Patrol Coordinator at 985-8849 or 1-866-326-7792, or contact via email at coordinatoratcopp@mpi.mb.ca.

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© 2008 Manitoba Public Insurance

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