Dauphin Citizens on Patrol highlight community involvement in crime prevention
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Dauphin Citizens on Patrol spent part of last month promoting personal safety and community awareness during an outreach event at the indoor walking track at Credit Union Place.
Volunteers handed out free personal alarms to visitors at the facility, devices designed to attract attention and help deter unwanted approaches during emergencies.
Richard Ives, coordinator of the Dauphin Citizens on Patrol program, said the volunteer-led initiative works closely with the RCMP and other local organizations to help strengthen community safety.
“Citizens on Patrol is a volunteer-led program that works closely with the RCMP and local organizations to help keep our community safe,” Ives said. “Our mission is simple but powerful: to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement.”
The program conducts neighbourhood patrols, reports suspicious activity and promotes safety awareness throughout the community.
As part of the giveaway, volunteers also shared practical tips for staying safe when walking alone, including sticking to well-lit areas, avoiding distractions such as phones or headphones, and letting someone know their route and expected arrival time.
Ives said the alarms can be particularly helpful for seniors, students, shift workers, outdoor walkers and people who live alone.
The walking track at Credit Union Place was chosen as the location for the giveaway because many residents who walk indoors during the winter months take their walks outdoors once the weather improves.
“These alarms can help capture attention during emergencies and may deter unwanted approaches on walking trails,” Ives said.
The devices can also serve other purposes. If someone falls on a street or driveway without their phone, the alarm can be activated by pulling the device apart, producing a loud sound that can be heard up to about 1,000 feet away.
Ives said the program has received strong support from the community since Dauphin Citizens on Patrol was reintroduced in late 2022.
Funding from the Dauphin and District Community Foundation helped make the alarm giveaway possible, while a contribution from the local Canadian Tire store allowed organizers to purchase additional devices and expand the event.
“To date, we’ve held three giveaway events, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Ives said. “Each event has reinforced how much our community values safety, awareness and the work our volunteers do every day.”