The Battlefords Citizens on Patrol Program's Doug Fehr, right, at Tuesday's council meeting. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Update to council

Battlefords Citizens on Patrol will hit streets with its own vehicle

Oct 11, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The Battlefords Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) group will be sporting its first new dedicated patrol vehicle, with logos, to use when they are out and about helping prevent crime.

The COPP’s Doug Fehr made a presentation to North Battleford city council to give an update on the team’s work at this week’s meeting.

“We’re very excited to inform council that our grant has been approved to enable the acquisition of a dedicated and marked patrol vehicle,” he said in his report.

Fehr said the COPP will receive about $29,000 in support for the initiative through a granting agency.

The group is now in the process of finalizing the logistics and plans to have the vehicle on the road by mid-October.

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Meanwhile, Fehr also mentioned there’s a new way to stop thieves from stealing licence plates.

The anti-theft device has specific screws that make the plate hard to take off. More details about how to purchase one will be available at a future date when more are in stock.

Membership is also looking good with about 20 people taking part in the volunteer COPP program currently.

But Fehr said the group is always looking for more members. If people don’t want to be on patrol in the evenings, they can also pick a daytime shift. There are also administrative details they can opt for instead if that’s their preference.

“Whatever works for them,” he said.

Looking at the numbers, in the 3rd quarter ending Sept. 30, the COPP conducted patrols on almost 7,700 blocks, compared to 6,600 blocks at the same time last year. Through the first nine months of 2023, the group patrolled 25,360 blocks, a significant increase from 12,400 blocks in 2022.

The Security Camera Registry continues to grow with: 109 properties with 327 cameras registered in North Battleford, and 15 properties with 39 cameras registered in the town of Battleford.

“Lots of room to grow this registry,” Fehr noted.

Mayor David Gillan was particularly impressed by the number of blocks the COPP is patrolling compared to last year.

“It shows that Citizens on Patrol is gaining and growing, and out there all hours of the night, trying to deter crime,” he said. “It’s a great report.”

“I hope the [new] vehicle deters more crime and attracts more members,” Gillan added.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow