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Gull Lake North Citizens On Patrol Association
GULL LAKE NORTH CITIZENS ON PATROL ASSOCIATION
The Gull Lake North Community is located approximately 16 km (10 miles) southeast of RIMBEY, ALBERTA, CANADA.
The Gull Lake North (GLN) community, at the northwest area of Gull Lake, comprising of five rural lakeside subdivisions – Birch Bay/Meadows, Poulsen Pastures, Poulsen Estates, Sunnyside, and Parkland Beach, and the immediate surrounding areas, lies within three municipal jurisdictions – the County of Lacombe, the County of Ponoka, and the Summer Village of Parkland Beach. The Rimbey R.C.M.P. detachment is responsible for patrolling the area.
In response to rising incidents of crime in the GLN community, a group of concerned residents, with the assistance of the Rimbey RCMP Detachment, formed the Gull Lake North Citizens on Patrol Association (GLNCOP), which was registered as an Alberta Society in February 2003. GLNCOP members are volunteers who patrol the community to deter and detect crime, and serve as the community’s “EYES and EARS” for the police. The RCMP trains all volunteers in patrolling. Most members are trained in Emergency First Aid, and some have also attended RCMP sponsored information sessions, and annual Alberta Citizens On Patrol Association (ACOPA) conferences-workshops.
Year round patrolling commenced on 02 May 2003. The GLNCOP volunteers, in pairs, patrol by vehicle, the most practical and safest, way to patrol in a rural community. When on patrol, the Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.) team is identified by magnetic signs on the vehicle. In the past the group has responded to requests from the R.C.M.P. to do surveillance, and patrols in the town of Rimbey. On Halloween night the patrol team hands out treats to youngsters that are out halloweening. To keep our affairs in order and to exchange ideas and information, the volunteers meet monthly from January to November. The annual meeting is held in May. GLNCOP is a member of ACOPA, and the Rimbey and District Rural Crime Watch Association.
Since our inception, R.C.M.P. statistics have proven there has been a significant drop in criminal code activities such as break-ins and vandalism. Traffic related issues have also been reduced. It is assumed that the presence of GLNCOP is acting as a deterrent to these undesirable activities, and has made the community safer from crime and hazards.
GLNCOP’s annual operating budgeting of about $2500.00 is primarily for equipment, telephone-internet charges, and training. Initial start-up funds came from all three municipal governments, local businesses, many area property owners, the Rimbey Lions Club, and several Rimbey businesses. Currently, our revenue is from gratefully accepted donations, an annual garage sale, and an annual raffle. Volunteers donate their time and vehicles without any financial reimbursement. GLNCOP is registered as a Charitable Organization with Revenue Canada.
Participation in GLNCOP has given our members a greater awareness of community issues and concerns, and has also provided opportunities for social activities such as potluck suppers. New members are always welcome. Presently our volunteers number 35. To learn more about Citizens on Patrol visit the ACOPA Website at www.acopa.ca. For GLN area residents interested in joining GLNCOP e-mail us at glncop@telus.net, or contact one of the people listed below. We are always ready and willing to assist other nearby communities in starting up a Citizens on Patrol group.
For the benefits of Citizens on Patrol, the GLN community can thank our founding president, Susan Krest, who spear headed the formation of GLNCOP in late 2002.
The 2007-2008 executive is: President – Doug McNeill; Vice Pres. – Lorene Tiberg; Secretary – Irene Wegmann, Treasurer – Ted Jamieson; Director – Gary Philp. Cst. J.W. (Bill) Coulthard is the R.C.M.P. Liaison Officer to GLNCOP. Edward Hutzkal is the GLNCOP Liaison officer to ACOPA and Rural Crime Watch, and Webmaster.
Posted 24 Nov. 2007; Revised 02/12/07
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REPORT FOR 2007
Gull Lake North Citizens On Patrol Association (GLNCOP) ended the year 2007 on a successful note with 35 volunteer members. During 2007 the volunteers patrolled 116 times. Based on data from 16 Patrol Reports the volunteers donated an estimated total of 840 man-hours and their vehicles for 7,370 kilometres for patrolling alone. In terms of monetary value, and based on rates used to evaluate volunteer services, this equates to approximately $12,600.00 for volunteer hours plus $3,500.00 for mileage, for a total benefit of $16,100.00 to the community. In addition to patrolling, the volunteers donated numerous hours and vehicle mileage for supporting activities such as meetings, training, fund raising, administration, provincial conferences/workshops, and informational tours of the Red Deer R.C.M.P. Telecoms facilities, and the Encana Ponoka Area Control Room. The 2007 Garage Sale and Raffle was a fund raising success. In 2007 GLNCOP supported the SADD (Students Against Drinking and Driving) Group of students from Rimbey Schools - $900.00 was donated to help finance an event which included an out of province speaker, and several Association members worked at a Rimbey Lions Club sponsored Bingo with proceeds going to the SADD Group. GLNCOP donated a Silent Auction Package to the Rimbey Victims Services fund raising Golf Tournament. GLNCOP continues its association with the Rimbey & District Rural Crime Watch Association in Crime Prevention. Police alerts sent out via the Crime Watch Computer Fan Out System reaches all of our members. In 2007, and previous years, GLNCOP has provided insight and information to other communities (Rimbey, Blackfalds, County of Lacombe, Bluffton) on forming their own Citizens on Patrol groups. The Association members thank all that have donated money to our group, donated items for our garage sale, patronized our garage sale, have bought raffle tickets, and have given us the much needed moral support in our efforts to keep our community safe. We look forward to a successful and safe 2008.
Constable J. W. (Bill) Coulthard, R.C.M.P. Liaison Officer to GLNCOP, has commented:
“The Gull Lake North Citizen's on Patrol continue to be a very dedicated unit in deterring crime in the area of the Summer Village of Parkland Beach, Sunnyside, Poulsen's Pasture, Poulsen's Estates, Birch Bay and other areas in and around the Northwest side of Gull Lake. They are an ever present asset to the RCMP Rimbey Detachment through their ever present patrols. These patrols in themselves have kept the crime rate in the patrolled areas to a 0%. Their efforts contribute greatly to the community they serve in prevention of cabin and rural residence break-ins, off road vehicle offences and offences under the gaming and liquor act. The Gull Lake North citizens on Patrol are a very proud group with a well organized, dedicated and well financed association.”
POSTED 23 JAN. 2008
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UPDATES: Keep watching this page for updated information on GLNCOP Activities and News.
**NOTE**
The Links to External Websites is provided as a convenience only to our Website’s visitors. GLNCOP takes no responsibility for the content of non-GLNCOP websites. If you have a complaint of a website to which a link is provided, please e-mail the Webmaster at eh.sh@telus.net
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RETIREMENT
GLNCOP Congratulates IAIN McLEAN on his retirement from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on Thursday 24th April 2008. After thirty-four years a policeman, Iain retired as a Corporal, and Rimbey RCMP Detachment Commander. Iain was a strong supporter of GLNCOP. Enjoy your retirement Iain – you have earned it.
(Posted 27 April 2008)
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SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE
The Gull Lake North Citizens on Patrol Association extends a Very Sincere THANK YOU to all who donated items to, and all those that patronized our Garage Sale on Saturday 26th April 2008. THANKS to All of You, the Garage Sale was a Success. Also, THANK YOU to all that made a donation to GLNCOP.
Proceeds from the Coffee and Donut Sales were donated to the Rimbey Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD). Thank you for supporting this group of Responsible School Students.
(Posted 27 April 2008)
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From the RIMBEY REVIEW, R.C.M.P. Reports Section (edited)
1. If you have information of illegal activity please call the local Police or Crime Stoppers at PHONE: 1-800-222-8477, #8477 on Telus Mobility or *8477 on Rogers AT&T. Crime Stoppers DOES NOT subscribe to the call display telephone feature. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards of up to $2000 for information that leads to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property, or the seizure of illegal drugs. Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work! Do your part and call now. (Posted 13 Dec. 2007)
2. The R.C.M.P. would like to remind the community that children are our greatest joy. The vigilance of teachers, caregivers and family members are the best protection a child can have. If you have concerns about the welfare of a child, contact Child and Family Services or the Police immediately. (Posted 30 Dec. 2007)
3. TAIL LIGHT INFRACTIONS – During some weather conditions some tail lights become covered with the soupy substance on the road, or snow. If you are behind someone it is your responsibility to leave enough room between you to stop in an emergency, whether there are visible lights, or not. (Posted 30 Dec. 2007)
4. SCAMS – Police remind you to be on guard for scams by so-called legitimate businesses offering a deal too-good–to-be-true. Phone Busters is an organization designed to deal with these anticipated scam organizations. (Posted 30 Dec. 2007)
5. 911 Calls - Please be aware that every 911 call that a dispatcher answers is taken very seriously and the police will respond. So please be aware of 911 calls made from your home, if it is an accidental dial please let the dispatcher know right away to dismiss the emergency from this phone number. For most children, 911 is the first phone number they learn. Please be sure to inform your children that this number is to be dialled in emergency situations only. (Posted 16 Feb. 2008)
6. Did You Know That:
A. Losing control of a vehicle due to road conditions could result in a charge of Driving Too Fast For Road Conditions. The posted speed limits are “maximum “ speeds for “ideal” conditions. Please slow down to what road conditions dictate.
B. Taking a vehicle without permission is considered a theft and Criminal Code charges could be laid. (Posted 03 Mar. 2008)
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IDENTITY THEFT, FRAUD, SCAM
If you are a victim of Identity Theft, Fraud , or Scam; or if you just need information on these items,you will find information on the Canadian PhoneBusters website at www.phonebusters.com/ (Posted 16 Feb. 2008)
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WEBMASTER's Questions, Thoughts, Wonders
1. Bill of Obligations and Responsibilities???
Nowadays we hear so much about “Rights” granted us by the Canadian Bill of Rights. Is there such a Bill as a “Canadian Bill of Obligations and Responsibilities”? If anyone knows of, or has heard of such a Bill, please e-mail details to the webmaster at eh.sh@telus.net. Thank you. (Posted 06 April 2008)
2. PICTURES
How many times have you heard ….”A Picture is worth a Thousand Words”…., But Really, Is every picture worth a thousand words?
(Posted 06 April 2008)
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Copyright © 2008 Edward Hutzkal. All Rights Reserved