‘Street COP’ volunteers sign up to serve
THE Bluff Community Orientated Policing’s (COP) ‘street COPs’ are hitting the ground running, with 50 volunteers joining in the first week.
About 40 people attended the first meeting on Wednesday, 29 January, with many signing up to protect their neighbourhood.
“It is good to see so many people coming forward to join COP and actively getting involved in fighting crime. With 50 volunteers already and more joining, the street COP initiative has taken off well,” said COP manager, Rake Jeeves.
Street COPs are residents who will patrol their own streets. The majority are people who work from home, or are retired and able to spend a few minutes during the day, walking the street, monitoring the activity. Night-time volunteers will later be trained to assist.
Training for the first group of volunteers is on Wednesday, 5 January and as soon as the uniforms arrive, they will officially launch. “The training includes basic patrol procedure, radio procedures and action to be taken in emergencies as well as powers of arrest and what they are and aren’t allowed to do,” said Jeeves.
– erinh@dbn.caxton.co.za
