Ladysmith Citizens on Patrol requested the town's help in recruiting new members at the town's Sept. 10 committee of the whole meeting.
With aging and members moving the volunteer group is in danger of not being able to function if they don’t get some new blood into the organization, they said.
Ladysmith Citizens on Patrol is a group of volunteers who offer their time to the town’s crime prevention program in co-operation with the Ladysmith RCMP. They observe, document and report activity while being a presence in and around Ladysmith. The members patrol using a town owned vehicle or at times on foot. The volunteers increase awareness of suspicious or unusual activities happening around them. Members are trained in using safe practices while acting as the extended “eyes and ears” of the local RCMP.
The local unit is in need of 20 volunteers both male and female.
“The commitment we are looking for is at least one four-hour shift a month, minimum usually on weekend evenings,” said Jim Hall, program coordinator.
The group also does the Speed Watch program which, when requested by the police, is in the mornings and afternoons at schools, playgrounds and other locations.
“We record the make, colour, time and speed of vehicles and then submit the information to the RCMP,” Hall said. “Other tasks we do are evening patrols and write down times and locations, observe what we see.”
There is no cost to become a member of the organization.
“The only real requirements are a criminal record check and a valid drivers licence is required,” Hall said.
Locally the volunteers cover the area from the Timberlands area and south to Peerless Road including the Town of Ladysmith plus any other areas requested from RCMP.
“Donations are received from different organizations and the Town of Ladysmith," Hall said of the funding program. "The Town of Ladysmith owns the vehicle that we use for patrols and ICBC supplies the speed boards and anything else related to Speed Watch.”
Anyone interested can phone Jim Hall at 250-714-3510 or email bull_jackson@shaw.ca.