Citizen Patrol History:
Citizen Patrols or similarly named programs have been in existence for many years. During WWII, the nation lost many of its police officers due to being drafted into military service. This gap was filled with some of the first Citizen Patrols who augmented law enforcement agencies in non-enforcement functions. Corbett's agency's purpose began in 2010 with the main purpose of deterring car break-ins in the Columbia River Gorge. Members of the Citizen Patrol act as extra "eyes and ears" for law enforcement and work under the VIPS (Volunteers in Policing) Program.
The Mission:
The mission of the Citizen Patrol program is to help reduce crime and the fear of crime. This is done by providing a visible presence as a deterrent to criminal activity. Patrols are aimed at deterring criminal activities and vehicle break-ins in the Columbia River National Scenic Area.
Application Process:
The Citizen Patrol is made up of volunteers who have undergone screening, training and background checks by the Multnomah County Sheriff''s Office. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age.
Expectations:
Volunteers must drive their own vehicles during patrols, have access to a cell phone and have the ability to receive training updates via email. Members work with a partner during their patrols and attend the training meetings which are held three times per year. 48 hours of volunteer work are required on a yearly basis. Members do not carry weapons and confrontation is avoided. Members observe suspicious activities and report as necessary. If anyone is interested, they can go to www.corbettoregon.com and click on the "Citizen Patrol" tab.
