A band of volunteers, armed with equipment like night vision binoculars and software to scan for stolen vehicles, covertly patrol the Sooke region to help deter crime.

The Citizens on Patrol Sooke currently has 20 members who act as additional ‘eyes and ears’ for local RCMP.

In one evening, the COPS will travel 50 to 60 km by car a night, carefully monitoring school yards, locked facilities, parking lots, business properties and areas noted to have high crime rates.

They also perform stationery and on foot surveillance, and act as traffic controllers when required.