Hundreds of Manitoba volunteers will be taking to the streets May 1-7 as part of the first-ever Citizens on Patrol Week proclaimed today by Attorney General Gord Mackintosh.

A highlight of the week will be a province-wide patrol on Thursday, May 5 to raise awareness of the program, said Mackintosh. Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) members will also carry out a number of special events within their communities, including vehicle car audits, speed-reader boards and community presentations with local police liaison officers on crime prevention.

“COPP is a grassroots program that has successfully stopped criminal activities and heightened people’s awareness of public safety,” said Mackintosh, who is also the minister responsible for Manitoba Public Insurance.

“As a group, they make Manitobans feel safer in their communities. I can think of no better way to recognize the fine efforts of these volunteers and heighten awareness of the program than to have a special week for the Citizens on Patrol.”

COPP mobilizes citizens to participate in community-based crime prevention initiatives in co-operation with local police. Members work to deter crime by serving as additional eyes and ears in their communities and educating other citizens about crime prevention.

Nearly 2,000 Manitobans are COPP volunteers, with 64 active groups throughout the province. Last year, COPP members accumulated 16,141 patrol hours and 33,006 volunteer hours.

A provincial network -- co-ordinated through Manitoba Public Insurance and supported by Manitoba Justice, the RCMP and the Winnipeg Police Service -- is responsible for meeting the needs of community-based COPP groups.

“With our commitment to make communities safer and reduce auto theft, our corporation has a vested interest in COPP,” said Marilyn McLaren, President and CEO of Manitoba Public Insurance.

“We take this partnership very seriously, assigning one of our employees to co-ordinate the program, helping them share knowledge and information,” said McLaren.

Manitobans interested in joining or learning more about the Citizens on Patrol Program can find information on the organization’s website, www.citizensonpatrol.mb.ca, or calling Provincial Co-Ordinator Shauna Neiser at 985-8849.

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Contact:
Brian Smiley
Media Relations
Manitoba Public Insurance
(204) 985-7300 or 1-888-554-9549 (toll-free in Manitoba)