In early 1995, the Beaumont Police Department, along with several Beaumont neighborhood associations, initiated a program called Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.). The program consists of volunteers from established Beaumont neighborhood associations who donate their time to patrol their neighborhood while driving their own vehicles or vehicles provided by their organization.

The object of the program is to provide more eyes and ears on the streets observing and reporting crime and/or suspicious activity.

Program guidelines prohibit participants from actions that would place them in a confrontational situation. Each vehicle is equipped with a cellular telephone on which to call in incidents needing police attention. Corporate sponsors and private individuals underwrite the program to help pay for cellular phones, magnetic signs for participants’ vehicles, miscellaneous equipment and distinctive clothing.

Participants may patrol any number of hours per week, but each participating neighborhood association must show a combined total of eight hours per week by its membership. Each participant must document his/her activities during patrol and this information is forwarded to the Beaumont Police Department.

Requirements:

Volunteers in the program must meet the following criteria.

• Work on a volunteer basis
• Must be 18 years of age
• Must have a driver’s license
• Be a City of Beaumont resident
• Be a concerned citizen
• No criminal record (no felony convictions and/ or Class A or B misdemeanors within the past two years.)
• Follow guidelines of C.O.P. program
• Must be sponsored by a neighborhood association
• Possess a need and desire to better our community and protect our future leaders, our children

Visit the Beaumont Police Department website at http://www.beaumontpd.com/