Volunteer COPPs are extra eyes and ears for the police at night.

The 20 Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP) members spend their evenings driving the streets of Winkler by night, keeping in regular contact by radio with police.

"We can't police a community like this just by ourselves," Winkler Police Chief Rick Hiebert says. "They've helped us solve a lot of crime."

He notes their presence also helps deter crime, "any ordinary vehicle can be one of them (COPP) driving around reporting to us."

"It's a group effort to keep our community safe," he says.

With summer coming, Hiebert says they can expect more activity, "that's always a concern."

A member since 2002, Dustin Brown COPP Coordinator explains he's witnessed DUI, mischief complaints and break-and-enters.

However, he notes COPP members do not take direct action, but make the call to the police.

Keeping the community safer, "a sense of giving back," drives him to give up his weekends and evenings for the program.

To join COPP, stop by the Winkler Chamber of Commerce at the Winkler Civic Centre.