The Citizens on Patrol Program in Portage la Prairie is ramping up for the winter.

COPP work in conjunction with the RCMP, observing and reporting suspicious activity to police. The group has been active in our city for 30 years.

Spokesperson Rose says they are adding more homes to their residential checks watchlist, as people head to warmer climates for the next few months.

"We have it in the summertime, as well, but in the winter time, we can have anywhere from 10 to 20 people that are away," says Rose. "It's a very good idea to have that extra set of eyes and ears on the place. You still have your key holder that's going to check your home. We do a visual check from the road and make sure there's no windows or doors open. If you had a vehicle in the driveway that's listed, we would make sure that we watch for that, and if it's missing, the RCMP are contacted right away."

COPP is looking for more people to join their team, and Rose says anyone interested can contact the RCMP. That being said, the team is capable of handling the workload as it is. If you want someone to periodically check on your home, COPP is ready.

"I think it's very important, very important. With today's society, we need to have those extra eyes and ears on the place and the RCMP will tell you that it's very important, as well," says Rose. "Make sure your neighbors know if you're going to go away, because if somebody happens to come to the property to break in, and the neighbors notice it, it makes a big difference."