Eisenhut Insurance donated Palm Pilots to help track stolen vehicles
By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times
A local volunteer-based program that helps police track down stolen vehicles and arrest car thieves is getting a major boost.
Thanks to a substantial donation of sophisticated computer equipment from the local Autoplan brokers at Eisenhut Insurance, Citizens on Patrol volunteers with Osoyoos' stolen auto recovery program will have an easier time tracking down stolen vehicles and notifying the RCMP.
It's great to be able to donate these Palm Pilots to the Citizens on Patrol group, says Doug Eisenhut.
I actually co-founded the group with Larry Boan several years ago and feel strongly that the work they do is very important to our community. Now that they are equipped and trained to use the program, our volunteers will be able to do even more good work for the people of Osoyoos.rnCitizens on Patrol is a volunteer organization of 28 members who operate out of the RCMP office. They patrol the downtown and residential areas, the schools and industrial sites three days a week, usually Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Members ask the RCMP if there are any specific areas they would like to see patrolled when they check in on shift.
Boan, a former RCMP officer, says the group is always looking for new recruits. Once volunteers pass a criminal record check, Corporal Harold Hallett advises them on procedures, note taking, etc., and they can join the Citizens on Patrol team.
Hallett says the Palm Pilots are an excellent idea, although he pointed out the volunteers do not have the same level of access to information as the police. The data provided by ICBC is to specifically authorized personnel.
Armed with the Palm Pilots, Citizens on Patrol members will be able to recognize stolen vehicles within seconds of entering licence plate numbers into the devices.
If the vehicle has been reported stolen to the police, a warning sound will be emitted and the member will immediately call the RCMP to take further action.
We're delighted to receive these Palm Pilots from Eisenhut Insurance, says Boan.
This program is so easy to use and it will really benefit everyone in our local community. If we can locate even one stolen vehicle and return it to its owner, this program will have been worth it.
