By: Sharon Aron Baron
Did you know that the Woodlands has a Citizens Observer Patrol or COP program? The Broward Sheriff’s Office provides residents with the car, gas, and all the upkeep. All they have to do is provide volunteers who will take the training class to become a COP certified.
Once certified and trained, residents drive around in pairs with different scheduled shifts throughout the month.
What do they do while driving around?
The function of the Citizen Observer Patrol is to observe and report suspicious circumstances and criminal violations within assigned areas of responsibility. As a COPs volunteer, they cannot approach or arrest people. Any activity that looks suspicious must be reported to BSO by phone. Volunteers drive around and cover areas of the Woodlands and become the eyes and ears of BSO.
Would you like to be a volunteer?
Several times a year, the BSO District Office in Tamarac has a training class. Their next one is on Thursday, January 29, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 7515 NW 88th Ave., next to city hall. Becoming a COP volunteer requires a criminal background check and a Florida driver’s license. Please fill out the application here You can decide later if you’d like to become a driver or a rider.
For further information please e-mail Section Eight Resident Benjamin Kanarek at kanarekbb@gmail.com. He will also be available to answer any questions about the COP program at the WHOA Annual meeting February 9 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Country Club.
