Almost 20 years later Winkler's Citizens On Patrol Program continues to help police pull drunk drivers off local streets.

Coordinator Dustin Brown has been involved for 16 years. He says their lifeblood is the volunteers who give up their evenings and weekends to drive city streets with their eyes peeled. In 2017 COPP members clocked over 300 volunteer hours.

COPP has approximately 20 active members take part, though Brown says they're always looking for more.

He says the desire to keep the community safe drives volunteers like himself, adding the work creates more appreciation for city police officers.

"You get to see what goes on in their daily lives," Brown says.

Winkler Police Service Deputy Chief Ryan Hunt says the volunteer program is a huge benefit, adding they regularly rely on their information.

He notes COPP member will often alert police to impaired drivers, "it's really important to get those people off the streets."

Volunteers patrol Winkler streets overnight, scanning for criminal or suspicious activity.

"I just really have to throw a big thank-you out to all of them," Hunt says. "We really appreciate what they do."

"It's some good people putting in a lot of hours to make the program work," Brown adds.

Winkler Police recently gave $4,500 to COPP to cover admin costs as well as equipment like flashlights and jackets.