About Portage la Prairie COPP

Mission:

To mobilize citizens to participate in a community-based crime prevention initiative in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies.

Program Goals:

• Deterrence to provide a presence in the community through patrolling by vehicle, by foot, by bicycle or other means, as required.
• Education to educate Manitobans about crime prevention.
• Awareness to increase Manitobans’ awareness on crime-related issues such as theft, auto theft and speeding.

Portage la Prairie has a very active Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) which was established in 1992. The main goal of this program is for volunteer community members to be on the look-out for any suspicious or criminal activity, to record this activity and, where appropriate, to report such activities to the police. COPP members act as additional “eyes and ears” for their community and the police, which can assist in 
reducing crime.

The Citizens on Patrol Program is administered through the detachment Community Policing Office and the RCMP Media Relations Officer. COPP members are kept informed of crime trends and areas to be aware of in the City. Duties include:

• COPP members patrol at night (in pairs) looking for suspicious people and/or activity. Patrols usually take place between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am, however volunteers can choose their own hours.
• COPP members in Portage la Prairie are involved with the Speed Watch Education Program working, at times, in partnership with the RCMP Traffic Services unit.
• COPP members are responsible for the City Residential Check Program. COPP members, while on patrol, check on the residences of people away on holidays or out of the City for an extended period of time. A daily log is kept of activity around the property.

Portage la Prairie COPP requests that volunteers make a minimum commitment of 3 hours per month. Training in regards to personal safety, reporting incidents, etc is provided.

COPP FACTS

• COPP celebrated their 25th Anniversary in May 2017! 
• Portage la Prairie COPP is the longest running COPP Group in Manitoba.
• Their group has been awarded Provincial awards for crime prevention in 1998, 2007 & 2016.
• They average 40 to 45 members who consistently patrol between 1200 and 1800 hours a year. 
• There have been over 400 residents belong to the program over the past 25 years.
• They have donated about $44,500 to Kidsport over the past 10 years from the COPP/RCMP golf 
  tournament.
• They have donated over $7000 to local youth groups in the past 8 yrs. from proceeds of their 
  annual BBQ with Co-op River Road. 
• They offer free Residential Checks for residents who are away from their home. 
• They do road safety initiatives for MPI - cell phone & seat belt audits and speed watch school zones 
  audits.