Athabasca’s Citizens On Patrol (COP) had a beautiful day to work with for their fundraising barbecue Sept. 16.
Local families and individuals came and went from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside the Athabasca RCMP detachment, but the peak action point was when a police helicopter landed on the grass.
“It’s going great, it’s a beautiful day,” said Lexy Mroczek, COPs fundraising co-ordinator. “We’ve got lots of kids out here.”
The RCMP Safety Bear was in attendance to give children high fives and hugs. Children swarmed the police SUV, and according to Staff Sgt. Brian Nicholl were particularly intrigued by the police boat.
“It’s going fantastic. The exciting helicopter landing was fantastic. The police boat has got a huge following with the kids – kids like the sirens and everything,” Nicholl said.
There was also an RCMP recruiting table, which Nicholl said was garnering some interest with the teenagers.
Athabasca COPs president Kevin Mroczek said COP’s tentative plans for their fundraising dollars is to purchase video cameras to deal with crime downtown.
He added the idea is in the early stages, and would require first the support of the Athabasca Chamber of Commerce, and only then would COPs approach local municipalities for support.
Lexy said the organization’s goal this year was to hit $15,000, which they had already achieved.
“This is what we do for the community, is to make it safe. I think the downtown core is where a lot of the break-ins take place, and I think that’ll just help with safety in town,” she said.
