Citizens On Proactive Patrol (COPP) are volunteer members of the Mount Vernon Police Department. COPP members are Citizen Academy graduates who chose to go through an advanced training course; a field-training period with selected, specially trained veterans of the group; and then commit to two four-hour patrol shifts per month.

Two former police cars, with the light bar and siren removed, have been marked "Citizen Patrol" and are assigned to the COPP Program. These vehicles are equipped with police radios, bicycle racks, and directional light bars in the back window.

COPP members work in pairs and are provided with portable police radios and cellular telephones. They patrol neighborhoods, parks, schools, and businesses, acting as extra eyes, ears, and problem solvers for the Police Department. They focus primarily on quality of life issues and, if they notice anything out of the ordinary, radio a police officer to respond.

In addition to patrolling the City, COPP members post abandoned vehicles for towing; pick up found bicycles; assist officers with traffic control; and provide handicapped parking enforcement and graffiti abatement. They help with special events such as Halloween Downtown, the Mount Vernon High School Homecoming Parade, the City Christmas Parade, Youth Appreciation Day, and Neighborhood Beautification Days.

Some COPP members also volunteer for around the clock callouts. The "No Wait 8" as they're called are available 24 hours a day seven days a week to assist with crime scene security, road closures or missing person searches.

COPP volunteers are community members doing their part to make the City of Mount Vernon a great place to live.

For additional crime prevention resource information click here.

If you have any questions concerning the Citizens on Proactive Patrol program, contact our Public Education Officer Jeff Dowhaniuk at (360)336-6271.