Citizens On Patrol are volunteer-run groups all across Canada with an aim to help inform police of petty crimes such as property damages. Typically, they drive in cars in pairs of two during nighttime hours when most small crimes take place.
The town of Smithers had a Citizens on Patrol group in 2019, but once the COVID-19 pandemic struck, there were too many barriers to warrant continuing.
Over the 2023 holidays, Lorne Benson held a meeting at The Sunshine Inn to gather interested parties in re-instating COP Smithers. The reception was positive and a volunteer board was created in order to legitimize the group and have it recognized as an official British Columbian society. By becoming a society, the Smithers COP will have access to training and policies written by larger Citizens on Patrol groups.
Lorne Benson said that he is hopeful to get Smithers Citizens on Patrol up and running by spring of 2024.
