The Citizens on Patrol program in Manitoba is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Citizens on Patrol is a volunteer program that looks to prevent crime in communities. There are 48 active groups across the province and Portage la Prairie has been one of the groups for 24 years. Rose with COPP has been a member for 20 of those 24 years and explains the program and how the program has grown over the years.

"In 1991 the Justice Department and the RCMP decided that they could mobilize citizens to help out the RCMP. By the time they got the groups organized and trained, it was already into 1992, and our group here in Portage started in May of 1992. We had about 28 groups in Manitoba at the time and Portage is the only group that's stayed right through for the 24 years this year. We celebrate our 25th anniversary next year, so it's pretty exciting."

Manitoba Public Insurance has been a sponsor of COPP since 2001 and MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley explains the program's significance.

"Manitoba Public Insurance is a sponsor of Citizens on Patrol, and has been for a number of years. The significance of Citizens on Patrol is very simple, it;s a grass roots program designed specifically to make their community safer by volunteers. Last year, Citizens on Patrol volunteers provided nearly 15,000 patrol hours, and 23,000 hours of other volunteer services."

The COPP is very active in Portage with the speed watch program, and street patrol programs, as well as community events such as bbq's and golf tournaments. COPP in Portage currently has 45 members, and Smiley says they're always welcoming new members.