Communities consider joining program to assist police

By Lawrence Powell

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com



Municipal governments in Bridgetown and Lawrencetown are taking a look at helping police patrol Annapolis County through the RCMP’s Citizens on Patrol program.

Bridgetown councillors Art Marshall and Ted Agombar, along with CAO John Langmead, recently attended a meeting of Annapolis County Citizens on Patrol to find out more about the program. A representative of Lawrencetown’s village commission also attended.

The program is made up of volunteers who conduct patrols of streets and roads under the strict supervision of on-duty RCMP officers. Members receive training and at the beginning of each shift are outfitted with necessary clothing and equipment.

Annapolis RCMP Const. Dale Guy oversees Citizens on Patrol and described members as being additional eyes and ears for the police. He said at no time are patrol members put in dangerous situations and have no interaction with suspected criminals.

Citizens on Patrol already has active members in other parts of Annapolis County.

“We would like to see Bridgetown residents get involved,� Marshall said Friday, adding that Langmead has suggested to Bridgetown’s council that funding for necessary kits for patrol members become a line item on the town’s budget.

“I think council looked upon it favourably,� Marshall said. Several Bridgetown residents were also at the Citizens on Patrol meeting and one has completed the application process, Marshall said.

Lawrencetown’s commission chair Lynette Gilks is hoping a handful of village residents will also consider signing up. She said the commission has been concerned for some time about petty crime and mischief in the community and believes Citizens on Patrol could be one solution.

Marshall believes that the two communities could work together, and also include any interested Paradise residents. He said the joint approach could be used in fundraising and promotion.

Gilks, like Marshall, also believes that Bridgetown patrol members and Lawrencetown patrol members could partner up on actual patrols, especially if volunteer numbers for the program are low.

Prospective members must fill out an application form and undergo a screening process. Application forms are available through Const. Guy at the Bridgetown detachment or can be obtained at the library in Lawrencetown. The next meeting of Annapolis County Citizens on Patrol is 8 p.m. January 22 at the Bridgetown detachment.