The municipality’s Good Samaritans could soon be getting a helping hand of their own from HRM.
Regional council has asked staff to look into the possibility of providing the city’s Citizens on Patrol (COP) with funding for gas, cellphones, two-way radios and other equipment they may use during their rounds.
There are currently four COP groups affiliated with the Halifax Regional Police, and 13 additional groups that work with the RCMP in nearby rural areas. The volunteers always work in pairs, using their own vehicles to patrol various neighbourhoods and contact police if they spot suspicious situations or crimes in progress.
“They have found lost children, assisted with a person passed out in the snow, reported drunk drivers, identified crimes in progress, and helped locate suspects,” said a report submitted to council Tuesday night.
Several councillors said they already donate small amounts of money to the groups through their capital district accounts, but Coun. Debbie Hum said HRM should be doing more to support COP efforts, and requested that staff make recommendations for dedicated funding during the upcoming HRM budget debates.
Council approved the motion unanimously.
