The Coordinator for Grunthal Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP) says they could use a lot more volunteers.

Russ Hanna retired from the RCMP in 2011 and that fall took on the role of heading up Grunthal COPP. Hanna says for the last five years they have been operating with only six volunteers.

Hanna says COPP volunteers act as the eyes and ears for law enforcement. He notes law enforcement manpower is stretched so thin right now and COPP volunteers help to identify any problems that require police or emergency assistance.

According to Hanna, in a perfect world, they would have between 15 and 20 volunteers, allowing them to be out seven nights per week. But with only six, he says they are limited to Thursday, Friday and Saturdays, usually from about 10 pm until 1 am. Hanna notes sometimes during the summer months they will stretch that to 3:30 am, depending on what activities are going on in town.

Having worked as an RCMP officer, Hanna says he knows firsthand that COPP works. And he says it has definitely been successful in Grunthal.

"We've been successful in identifying and assisting the RCMP with some investigations on break and enter suspects," he says. "We've also identified suspicious vehicles in the early morning hours that have been around town."

Hanna says it is his opinion that residents of Grunthal appreciate the program. Further to that, he says the local youth are very receptive too.

"It's someone for them to chat with and we kind of keep them on their toes too," he says.

The Citizens On Patrol Program will continue in Grunthal, even with only six volunteers, says Hanna. But he says the biggest problem is age. Right now the average age of Grunthal COPP volunteers is over 65. He says ideally they would love to have some volunteers as young as 25. Hanna says the program in Portage La Prairie runs with more than 40 volunteers, ranging in age from 25 to 85, allowing for members to patrol up to seven nights per week.

Hanna says volunteers in Grunthal are only asked to help out one night per month. Plus, he says there is some compensation for gas costs. Anyone wishing to sign up can contact Russ Hanna at 1-204-430-6697. There are several forms to fill out, including a police check. Hanna says he will also do some training with volunteers, offering tips on what to watch for.

"The community needs to get involved in taking care of each other and watching out for each other," he says.