The possibility of a Citizens on Patrol program getting organized in Rimbey appears to be moving closer to reality.
A meeting held last month attracted a very good showing of interested citizens.
“There was an overwhelming turnout,” said Mayor Rick Pankiw, noting that more than 230 people attended the meeting.
Another meeting was held last Monday to organize a board of directors and set up the non-profit status.
The mayor said council had set aside funding previously to bring COPS to Rimbey, but the interest was almost nil.
“In 2016 we budgeted $5,000 for the COP program. We held two meetings and only one person showed up at both meetings.”
Pankiw said the money went back into general revenue for the 2017 budget and no funds were earmarked for the program at that time.
However, due to the overwhelming support that has been shown so far to get a COP program off the ground, Pankiw said he is going to propose funding be put in place for the town’s 2018, 2019 and 2020 budget at a budget meeting to be held Dec. 9.
The new initiative will see $5,000 earmarked for the program in 2018, $2,500 in 2019 and $2,500 in 2020.
The mayor also plans to propose to council that the town donate their current Ford Taurus bylaw vehicle to the COPS program and to have the necessary equipment installed in the vehicle.
The initiatives to be proposed by the mayor will need to be ratified and/or amended by council.