Castro Community on Patrol celebrating 7 years next week

The Castro Community on Patrol (CCOP) is encouraging the community to drop by, say hello, get to know their patrollers and enjoy some light snacks and beverages as they mark 7 years of service, 4,500+ hours of donated volunteer time, and more than 300 volunteers trained next Tuesday October 22nd, from 7-10PM at Magnet (4122 18th Street) in the Castro.

The CCOP is the city's only community patrol organization and is modeled after the internationally recognized Community/Citizens On Patrol Service (COPS) organization. As the name implies, Citizens On Patrol are citizens who, after being screened, background checked, and trained by their local law enforcement agency, patrol their communities acting as "eyes and ears" for law enforcement.* In addition to acting as the "eyes and ears" of law enforcement, the group adds support to security detail during local events and works closely with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence's "Stop the Violence" campaign. The "Stop the VIolence" campaign educates the community on how to stay safe at night, partners with local businesses and residences to provide safe houses for people in danger, and distributes safety whistles which can be used to alert others when someone is being assaulted. Consider stopping by for some goodies and to say hello and to meet the volunteer patrollers that help keep our neighborhood safe. *Though many organizations aligned with the National Association of Citizens on Patrol Service (COPS) do screen, background check, and have their volunteers trained by local law enforcement, Castro Community on Patrol Director Daniel Estabrook emailed to let us know that the CCOP does not do these things and that their "board members train volunteers themselves based on curriculum developed in conjunction with COPS."