Citizens on Patrol

The Citizens on Patrol program allows community members to patrol neighborhood streets, report suspicious activity, and alert neighbors of traffic hazards, complaints, and other topics that seek to reduce criminal activity for the city and the department. Participants are vetted by the police department, have to be approved, and must meet eligibility requirements and maintain good standing with the Police Department. 

Some of the criteria for participation:

• Graduates of an approved Citizens Police Academy
• Application to participate
• Background check
• Maintain program standards and rules
• Approval by Chief of Police to participate

Can Citizens on Patrol issue door hanger cards or notices to alert residents of a situation while on patrol? Yes - Approved volunteers are trained by the department to look for signs that will assist our community in the prevention of crime. Approved volunteers can tag properties, vehicles, and other location with door hangers and windshield notices when they notice personal property left in plain view, garage doors left open, unlocked doors or windows left open, and overgrown landscaping. Approved volunteers can also issue notices for vehicle and parking violations that they come across while on patrol or if directed by a police supervisor related to a complaint received. Our volunteers work closely with law enforcement officers, code enforcement personnel, animal control services, and the Fire Marshal's Office. 

What happens if I receive a door hanger or vehicle notice? When an approved volunteer places this notification on your vehicle or property, they are alerting you to a potential issue that should be corrected. Crime prevention and maintaining a beautiful city are core priorities for our department and City Council. 

Can a volunteer issue a citation or make an arrest? Volunteers are not classified as peace officers, so they cannot issue a citation. Volunteers can summon a peace officer to address a potential issue while on patrol. Volunteers can only make lawful arrests under the same authority as everyday citizens, however, while acting as a volunteer in the city, they are trained to notify an on-duty police officer to respond to in-progress situations where an arrest may be warranted. 

What if I have a complaint about a Citizen on Patrol member? Please notify one of our team members by emailing wspd@wspd.us to report any issues or allegations of misconduct by one of our volunteers. 

Door Hanger/Vehicle Notice/Warning Sticker