Yellowknife (Nov 15/04) - Everyone in Yellowknife has an opinion on drugs, alcohol and dangerous streets, but who's really doing anything about it? When does talk become action?

Well, if you're concerned about the safety of your streets, tip your hat to the volunteers of Citizens on Patrol and Community Patrol Services.

Reporting fights like this one is just one of the many things Citizens on Patrol do to help police keep the streets safe. - Glancy/NNSL photo

Organizers with the Citizens on Patrol (COPs) program are reporting a successful start, with 45 calls reported to RCMP since it was formed in February.

The volunteers work in teams of two, driving around the downtown core, reporting to and assisting police.

"It's going very well," said COPs organizer John Carter.

"We respond whenever the Mounties want us to and apart from that we do our regular patrols."

The COPs project has scored a number of successes already, including getting two impaired drivers off the road.

They've phoned in fights and people they found passed out in the freezing cold.

They've also assisted the RCMP in a stake-out and a search party and sit parked just down the street from traffic stops, ready to help the police if they're needed.

"We want to take back our city because we think it's being overrun," said Carter. The project currently has 16 or 17 active volunteers.

"I could use more volunteers, no doubt about it," ventured Carter, adding "we're still looking for an ongoing source of funding."

The project, which is run under the umbrella of the Yellowknife Community Wellness Coalition, started with a $10,000 injection from the city, $2,000 from the Elks Club and $1,000 from the Rotary Club.

"What we really need is a major sponsor," said Carter, pointing out that the two COPs vehicles go through $20 worth of gas during each patrol. He's hoping to find a donor soon, but hasn't had much luck yet.

"To keep going we need to do more fundraising," agreed RCMP Const. Kerri Riehl, liaison for the project. The cars -- one donated by the RCMP and one by the City -- are old and need "constant repair."

Riehl echoed the need for volunteers, but said "it also means more money (is needed)."

Carter is undeterred: "The more success stories we have, the more volunteers we'll get," he said.

Coming soon to a street near you are the volunteers of the Community Patrol Services (CPS), a more hands-on group dedicated to getting intoxicated people off the streets and into a shelter or medical facility.

Peace officer and organizer Lea Martin said a framework for the project was completed Nov. 8. At least 10 volunteers have been found and training will soon begin.

All volunteers will be given free First Aid training and will be schooled in conflict negotiation. The emphasis of the patrol is on medical screening and public safety.

Martin did a test run for an hour and a half on Thursday with firefighter and paramedic Mike Lowing and two RCMP members. They helped three intoxicated women get into the Women's Centre and took a man to hospital for treatment for a cut on his head.

She said the "clients" were very co-operative, but one woman was reluctant because the group was in a police car.

"She said 'As long as you don't take me where they want to take me,'" explained Martin. The woman had a point, but it only proves the usefulness of the program: "Normally they would have gone to the (drunk) tank," said Martin.

"They all wanted to give me a hug before they went into the shelter."

Martin, who is also senior co-chair of the Wellness Coalition, isn't too worried about finding volunteers.

"It's good training and good experience for everyday life," she pointed out.

She said patrols, of whatever possible frequency, will be running by Christmas.

Ideally, said Martin, CPS would have 64 members working four hours each month.

She expects that most people would volunteer more time than that and 32 would do.

Carter's ideal is having 54 volunteers and a community-based police station.

When he worked as an auxiliary police officer in Nepean, Ont., 300 volunteers staffed five such stations. Nepean has a population of about 100,000.

Carter has lived in Yellowknife for nine years.

"I've watched a slow deterioration (in that time), especially in the downtown area," he said.

"I think if we push as citizens we can make a difference."