After working for the past year to get their non-profit society off the ground, the Blind Bay Citizens Patrol will begin acting as extra eyes and ears for the RCMP on Oct. 28.
According to Salmon Arm RCMP, the group of 14 volunteers will be patrolling the Blind Bay, Cedar Heights and Eagle Bay areas.
Carolyn French, one of three board members overseeing the neighbourhood patrols, said they are eager to add more volunteers. For those who don’t want to actually patrol, French said there are other roles in the organization which need filling, such as coordinating shifts and managing equipment.
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The idea for a citizens’ patrol group in Blind Bay has been developing since a meeting in late 2019 where South Shuswap residents concerned about property crime in the area received recommendations from the Salmon Arm RCMP and Citizens Patrol group.
French said after getting matters such as insurance and uniforms in order with financial help from local businesses, the volunteers are ready to patrol. They will be identifiable by their red jackets and window decals on vehicles. French said the first task will be introducing themselves to businesses in the area.
Now that the group is up and running, French said patrols will go year-round. She hopes by the summer more volunteers will allow more frequent patrols.
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One task the citizens patrol volunteers would like to add to their routine patrols is a speed watch program but French said they will need to purchase necessary equipment first.
Those interested in more information on joining the Blind Bay Citizens Patrol can contact them by email at infobbcp@shaw.ca.
jim.elliot@saobserver.net
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