Mobile Watch

BY ROGER STOBERT

MOBILE WATCH COORDINATOR 231-288-0148 spankky@charter.net

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 fi ve-gallon bucket containing everything a patroller needs to perform his/her duties. Th e Kit includes a radio, a radio charger, magnetic Mobile Watch signs, an amber light, important patrol literature, and seasonally, a Winter Watch list. Prior to each patrol, each Mobile Watch patroller attaches the magnetic Mobile Watch signs to his/her vehicle and then places an amber light on the roof. Th e patrol volunteer then logs-in by radio to Canadian Lakes Safety. Volunteers patrol their assigned area watching for anything suspicious or unusual. Patrollers also watch for open garage doors at residences where it appears no 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. Th ese forms can be obtained at the CLPOC offi ce 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 investi• Hearing Consultations Dr. Beckie Kaczmarski Dr. Angela Barton gate situations unless it is absolutely necessary or if request• Demonstration of ed by Safety or law enforcement personnel, and then only if • new technology It may just be wax? the volunteer feels comfortable doing so. Patrollers never confront, provoke, or intentionally place themselves in danger. • Accepting most insurance If volunteers come upon a crisis requiring immediate • Device for every budget attention, such as an auto accident, fi re, medical emergency, or any other similar circumstance where time is critical, paCanadian Lakes/Mecosta Office 10857 90th Ave • MECOSTA, MI 49332 EVERY THURSDAY trollers are trained in the proper protocols of notifying 911 fi rst and then Canadian Lakes Safety immediately thereaft er. At the end of the patrol, each volunteer radios Safety that Metro Health Village the patrol has been completed in the assigned area. 2225 Main St. SW, Ste.140 • WYOMING, MI 49519 Mobile Watch equipment is removed from the volunGrand Rapids Office 2020 Raybrook Drive SE • GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546 teer’s vehicle and placed in the Kit (white bucket). Th e Kit is then dropped off at the next patroller’s home. 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. Th e tabletop talk orientation is followed by an actual

Call (231) 972 - EARS (3277) practice patrol with the area captain. Th e captain during this patrol demonstrates to the recruit the practices neces-today or visit us online at www.KaczmarskiHearing.com sary for the new volunteer to be an eff ective part of CanadiLocally owned and operated! © 2017 Starkey. All Rights Reserved. 4/17 53096-17 an Lakes Mobile Watch team.

Has Mobile Watch really impacted the Canadian Lakes community? Residents might be surprised by some of the events that Mobile Watch has participated in.

Mobile Watch came to the aid of a resident who had slipped on the ice near his mailbox and couldn’t right himself. Th is resident lived alone on a lightly traveled dead end street. Had Mobile Watch not patrolled this day, this incident could have ended tragically given the brutally cold weather.

A similar slipping incident involved a resident who, while ice fi shing, fell on the ice, dislocating his shoulder and couldn’t get up.

Another patroller came upon a rather secluded residence where a stranded worker was marooned on the roof because his ladder had fallen away from the house. Yelling for help was futile until his voice caught the attention of a keen-listening Mobile Watch volunteer.

In the past, Mobile Watch was called upon to assist Safety, the Michigan State Police, and Mecosta County Sheriff in searching for an elderly resident suff ering from dementia who had wandered away from his home.

Mobile Watch came to the aid of county neighbors east of Canadian Lakes when the Sheriff ’s Department asked for assistance in looking for young children who wandered away from home into a deeply wooded area.

As most of you already know, Mobile Watch literally reports dozens of red lights each winter.

Does Mobile Watch deter vandalism and home invasions? Studies show that in other communities where neighborhood watch organizations like Canadian Lakes Mobile Watch exist, complaints of criminal activity are signifi cantly lower than in areas where there are no active civilian law enforcement assistance groups.

Are you interested in becoming an integral part of Canadian Lakes safety? You can be if you become a Mobile Watch patroller.

You are supplied with everything you need, except you supply your own vehicle.

We can’t fulfi ll our mission without continued community support and participation. While we have many volunteers of all genders and ages (a few over 90!), some having been Mobile Watch Patrollers for over a decade, there are still areas that need patrollers just to have one patrol per day.

Please understand that the commitment is small. While the above may sound challenging, it is in fact quite easy. It only takes about an hour per week. If you are interested, even if only part time, please contact Roger Stobert, Mobile Watch Coordinator, at 231-288-0148 or at spankky@charter. net, or just call Canadian Lakes Safety at 231-972-8555.

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Comprehensive eye exams and full optical services offered!

Most insurances accepted. Schedule your appointment today! 231.972.EYES (3937)

10085 Buchanan Rd. Canadian Lakes, MI 49346 www.canadianlakeseyecare.com

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