City of Portage - Police Services

1. D.A.R.E. - Drug Awareness Resistance Education
D.A.R.E is a prevention education program that provides a pro-active approach to a global substance abuse problem. It is a co-operative effort between the community, the schools and police. D.A.R.E educates children at the crucial grade 5/6 level, which prepares them for entry into middle and high school, where they are most likely to encounter pressure to use drugs. There are currently three members trained as instructors for the program. Currently the D.A.R.E program reaches out to 12 Portage la Prairie City and Rural schools. Each year nearly 300 students receive the D.A.R.E training, teaching them techniques to say no to drugs, resist peer pressure, and helps them make the right choices.

2. ADOPT-A-MOUNTIE
The Adopt-A-Mountie program is an RCMP driven program intended to get police officers into schools, interacting with youth on a regular basis, and have officers seen as a friend rather than somone you have to see when something happens.

The Adopt-A-Mountie program has been implemented into twelve schools in the Portage la Prairie detachment area. Twelve members have volunteered for the program and made a commitment to their adopted schools.

3. C.O.P.P. - Citizens on Patrol Program
The citizens on Patrol program is very active in Portage la Prairie with 60 members volunteering their time. Volunteers assist police and the community by partrolling the streets looking for suspicious activity, and reporting same to the police.

The program is sponsored by the City of Portage la Prairie with assistance from Manitoba Public Insurance and the local RCMP. Community residents are taking a more active role in ensuring the streets are safe and that Portage la Prairie is a safe place to live.

C.O.P.P. members also assist with the residential check program monitoring the residences of homeowners away on holidays. The group assists with the vehicle audit program sponsored by Manitoba Public Insurance. This preventative program sees C.O.P.P. members walking parking lots at various businesses and visually inspecting vehicles then leaving a slip of paper on your windshield with ways you can protect your vehicle from auto crime.

C.O.P.P. members are always looking for extra help and volunteers will be accepted pending a criminal records check.

4.Portage Community Justice Group
This combined group includes volunteers who dedicate their time to Youth Justice as well as Community Justice forums. Although this is a new title for the group it has a combined interest of well over 30 years experience in both areas. The committee works in conjunction with the formal Justice System, RCMP and Probation Services. The group is comprised of 16 volunteers all of whom come from very diverse backgrounds which is very important when dealing with the sensitive issues which plague both youth and adults. The program serves as an alternative to the formal Justice System. For the youth the offender has the opportunity to take responsibility for his/her actions. The offender appears before the committee and together a plan is put in place to rectify the wrong-doing. The offender has the opportunity to deal with a matter without ending up with a criminal record.

The offender depending on his/her age and offence may have the option of participating in a Community Justice Forum. The offender, victim, police and anyone who may have been adversely affected by the actions of the offender may participate.

This program is administered through Probation Services and includes participants from both the City of Portage la Prairie and Rural Municipality

This group is always looking for new volunteers as anyone interested in working with youth and adults is encouraged to contact Probation Services to find out how to become part of a team of individuals wanting to make a difference in the community.

6. Neighborhood Watch

The neighborhood watch program is currently in operation throughout the City of Portage la Prairie. The program operates on the basis of knowing who your neighbors are, and knowing what is suspicious behavior. If you see anything out of the ordinary, let your neighbors know and contact the RCMP. The neighborhood watch program is set up making use of a telephone fan out system to get the word out to neighbors as fast as possible when a problem is identified.

7. Operation Identification

Operation Identification is a program in place to help curb theft, and is a tool intended to assist police in recovering stolen property and returning it to victims of crime. Homeowners and property owners are urged to ensure all their property is marked with an identifiable marking, serial numbers of property are written down, and an up-to-date inventory is maintained of all property. Engraving tools are available at the detachment , and can be signed out for the purpose of marking your property.

8. Community Consultative Group

The Community Consultative Group for Portage la Prairie is comprised of a cross-section of volunteers from the City of Portage la Prairie including youth, seniors, City and Rural Municipality representatives, Chamber of Commerce representatives, business owners, and the RCMP. The group discusses issues affecting residents, business owners and visitors and relays this information to RCMP. The volunteers attempt to identify problems and then work in partnerships with RCMP in developing strategies to address these problems.

9. Combat Auto Theft Program (CAT)

The combat auto theft program is a crime prevention initiative intended to decrease property crimes and the theft of motor vehicles. Vehicle owners can affix a (CAT) sticker to the rear window of their vehicle which tells police that this vehicle is not normally out on the street after a certain hour. This gives police reason to stop the vehicle, and possibly catch a car thief in action.

10. Block Parent Program

The block parent program in Portage la Prairie offers young children a safe place to go in the event of an emergency. RCMP officers along with Block Parent volunteers attend local schools and make presentations to young children on safety issues, and educate them on what to do and where to go in the event of an emergency. Youth are introduced to the Block Parent sign and learn that a home with this sign displayed is a safe place to go in an emergency.

All adult volunteers in the Block Parent Program must undergo a Criminal Records Check before becoming a member of the program.

11. Residential Check Program

The residential check program is a safety program offered by the Portage RCMP and COPP, members. Homeowners going away on holidays, or those residents who are going to be away are encouraged to register with the RCMP detachment. RCMP take note of when you will be away, who will be looking after your residence, what types of security measures you have in place, lights on timers, vehicles which will be left at home and many other bits of information.

Regular patrols are made of your residence and security checks in an attempt to reduce the risk of being victimized by a break and enter or vandalism while you are away.

12. Auxiliary Constable Program

The Portage la Prairie RCMP is complimented by a 9 person volunteer contingent of Auxiliary Constables. These volunteers undergo training by the RCMP to assist in Crime Prevention and Patrols with regular members. They must volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month with the local detachment. These volunteers have similar powers to a regular member of the RCMP and assist in various aspects of police work. Auxiliary Constables wear a distinct uniform similar to that of regular members and are often seen assisting at road blocks, and at many community events. This program is a valuable resource for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

These volunteers are selected based on their residency and stability within the City and Community of Portage la Prairie. All ages are encouraged to apply at the Portage la Prairie RCMP detachment.

13. Kids Identification Program

RCMP attend several functions and provide a service to families whereby children can be fingerprinted and have an information card completed in regards to their child. The card includes a photo of their child, a hair sample for DNA purposes, and a fingerprint. Parents keep this card, and have it readily available in the event of an emergency such as a lost child or an abduction.

14. Bicycle Patrol Program

Portage la Prairie detachment has a bicycle patrol unit which operates during the summer months within the City. The bicycle patrol performs a wide variety of functions from surveillance, patrolling of alleys and the downtown area of the city, it also assists in numerous community policing and crime prevention initiatives within the city. The program is extremely popular with youth in the community. The bicycle patrol unit is active with youth in bicycle safety education within City schools.