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. Each participant must document his/her activities during patrol and this information is forwarded to the Beaumont Police Department.
A volunteer must be a City of Beaumont resident and have no criminal record (no felony convictions and/or Class A or B misdemeanors within the past two years). A background check will be conducted on all interested applicants by the Beaumont Police Department. Before participating, volunteers must successfully complete the Citizens On Patrol training program. The training is provided at times convenient to the applicants.
Frequent city-wide ride outs are held allowing COP members to patrol with fellow patrollers from throughout the city. The event usually begins with a dinner in the targeted neighborhood and then a concentrated patrol of the selected neighborhood.
Each year the group sponsors an awards banquet to honor the top patrollers for the year. In addition, COP sponsors a picnic for the families of Beaumont police officers and COP members. A college scholarship is awarded to a child/grandchild of a Beaumont police officer or COP member at the annual picnic. The group publishes a semi-annual newsletter.
An application may be obtained by contacting Officer Eric Wilson or Officer Chris Cunningham at 409-880-3802 or at copofficers@bmtcop.com or by clicking here (PDF format).
