Citizens On Patrol begin patrols in area

Grenfell - The town and residents of Grenfell are a little safer these days thanks to the efforts of the newly formed , Citizens on Police Patrol (COPP) community group.
"Our patrols have commenced," said Elaine Zimmerman, co- coordinator for COPP in Grenfell. "The patrols started November 20th and we've been out doing regular patrols."
And for many in the area, that is good news.
"It looks like the vandalism has really dropped off, but we're not really going to know until the weather warms up," she said noting the effect the cold wintery weather has had on vandalism in the area.
"The cold weather I think is the main thing right now that's preventing any vandalism. We'll really know the truth on that when the weather does warm up and see whether or not the Citizens on Police Patrol has had any effect."
The community organization was formed last October after concerns were raised by residents and community busnisesses over the increase in vandalism and crime in Grenfell in recent months.
The group now has twenty-nine volunteers who pair up and patrol the streets to look for any suspicious activity in both residential and commercial areas. The volunteers are required to carry cell phones, flashlights and other gear for safety reasons and in order to call police or make a report should they see any criminal activity taking place.
"Basically, we do the whole town when we're out on patrol. We do residential and business areas, we cover the streets, the alley ways and we also go around the boundary of the town as well," said Zimmerman noting that patrols can be anywhere between 2-5 hours each in length, depending on the need and what's going on in the community.
Zimmerman says there may be a board for the Grenfell C.O.P.P set up in the near future and with the positive feedback that she's received about the community group, she hopes the organizations numbers will increase in 2009.
"I'd like to see another twenty people join or volunteer their time. It would be nice to have more volunteers to spare off on the present ones and also to allow for any emergencies when it comes to patrols or for any special dues going on in town," she said adding "everybody that I've talked to, they've been pleased that it's been set up. And anybody that's talked to me have said they haven't noticed any further instances of vandalism at all."
With the Grenfell Citizens on Police Patrol now up and running, co-ordinators Elaine Zimmerman and Shirley Schlamp0 encourage all residents to let them know how they think the group is doing, and to provide them with more feedback or ideas for the group.
So far, over the last couple of months and the start of 2009, there haven't been any instances of vandalism or anything to report.
And for a new group or organization wanting to help make the town safer and make a difference in the community, that's they want to hear.
"That's one thing I was hoping for, that once the word was out there, the vandalism would slow down or subside completely," said Zimmerman.
"Everything's been nice and quiet."