What does the Mobile Watch Do on Patrol?
WHAT DOES THE Canadian Lakes Mobile Watch do on patrol? Volunteers do a lot of looking, listening, and reporting. Patrollers drive less than 20 miles once a week in one of nine designated areas within Canadian Lakes, typically, in his/her own neighborhood. Mobile Watch’s goal is to have two patrols per day in each of our 9 areas. Each volunteer begins his/her patrol by using “the kit” which is a white five-gallon bucket containing everything a patroller needs to perform his/her duties. The Kit includes a radio, a radio charger, magnetic Mobile Watch signs, an amber light, important patrol literature, and seasonally, a Winter Watch list. BY ROGER STOBERT Prior to each patrol, each Mobile Watch patroller attaches the magnetic Mobile MOBILE WATCH Watch signs to his/her vehicle and then places an amber light on the roof. The COORDINATOR patrol volunteer then logs-in by radio to Canadian Lakes Safety. Volunteers patrol their assigned area watching for anything suspicious or un231-288-0148 usual. Patrollers also watch for open garage doors at residences where it appears no spankky@charter.net one is home. (Open garage doors provide easy access for would-be thieves). While on patrol, Mobile Watch volunteers are prepared to assist stranded motorists or to come to the aid of lost visitors and, on occasion, even lost residents! In winter, Mobile Watch volunteers keep a keen eye for red lights in the windows of residents’ homes indicating that there may be a possible heating system malfunction. Residents can help Mobile Watch and Safety in its Winter Watch mission by registering their homes each year prior to their departure for warmer climates using the Winter Watch/Red Light form. Registration provides Safety with the essential information to Virtually Invisible Hearing Technology remedy a potentially serious situation. These forms can be obtained at the CLPOC office or on the CLPOC website. What does a Mobile Watch volunteer do when he/she sees something unusual? Each patroller is trained to contact Canadian Lakes Safety via the radio included in the Mobile Watch Kit. Patrollers do not leave their vehicles to investiDr. Beckie Kaczmarski Dr. Angela Barton • Hearing Consultations gate situations unless it is absolutely necessary or if requested by Safety or law enforcement personnel, and then only if • Demonstration of the volunteer feels comfortable doing so. new technology Patrollers never confront, provoke, or intentionally place • It may just be wax? themselves in danger. • Accepting most insurance If volunteers come upon a crisis requiring immediate attention, such as an auto accident, fire, medical emergency, • Device for every budget or any other similar circumstance where time is critical, patrollers are trained in the proper protocols of notifying 911 Canadian Lakes/Mecosta Office first and then Canadian Lakes Safety immediately thereafter. 10857 90th Ave • MECOSTA, MI 49332 At the end of the patrol, each volunteer radios Safety that EVERY THURSDAY the patrol has been completed in the assigned area. Metro Health Village Mobile Watch equipment is removed from the volun2225 Main St. SW, Ste.140 • WYOMING, MI 49519 teer’s vehicle and placed in the Kit (white bucket). The Kit is Grand Rapids Office then dropped off at the next patroller’s home. 2020 Raybrook Drive SE • GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 All recruits receive a “tabletop” orientation explaining Walker Office the procedures and protocols of Canadian Lakes Mobile 523 Wilson Ave. NW • WALKER, MI 49534 Watch. The tabletop talk orientation is followed by an actual practice patrol with the area captain. The captain during Call this patrol demonstrates to the recruit the practices necestoday or visit us online at www.KaczmarskiHearing.com sary for the new volunteer to be an effective part of Canadian Lakes Mobile Watch team. Locally owned and operated!
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