Drumheller COP to host provincial AGM
Come September 20-22. Drumheller Citizens on Patrol will be hosting the province for the Alberta Citizens on Patrol Association (ACOPA) Annual General Meeting and Workshops.
The Drumheller group has secured this annual event and are hoping that 200 will be descending on the valley not only to learn and take in presentations, but get a taste of what Drumheller has to offer. Chair of the Hosting Committee Doug Lubinski says it will be a very busy weekend.
“This ACOPA event is going to be a good thing for all our members here because they are going to be able to be involved in all the training, and speakers,” said Lubinski.
This will include presentations from different aspects of crime prevention from groups such as the RCMP on subjects ranging from crime reduction strategies, rebuild relationships between COP and police detachments and even canine services.
COP acts as the eyes and ears of law enforcement and the community. Their mandate is not to intervene in crime, but simply observe and report.
Another value for participants goes beyond the workshops but also meeting and networking with other COP organizations from throughout the province. This is an opportunity to share best practices and build relationships and resources.
An event like this is also important for the community. It is an opportunity to showcase the community. Lubinski says he has heard a number of participants looking forward to coming to the valley.
“Bringing these people into town is a great thing because they see what we do here and see what we have to offer,” said Lubinski. “A lot of people we have talked to said ’we have been thinking about coming to Drumheller and we are probably going to bring our grandchildren with us’ because they are coming to Drumheller.”
The conference kicks off with its main banquet and opening ceremonies on Friday night. Saturday is filled with all kinds of workshops as well as time to recreate. The event wraps up Sunday morning with training sessions.