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CA NEWS

Deer census volunteers: sign up September 6-11

Submitted by the Wildlife Management Committee

As announced in the August edition of
the Sun Rays, the Wildlife Management
Committee has scheduled the annual
deer census sign-up period for Sept. 6-11.
The census process involves teams of two
individuals to either walk trails or drive
golf carts along street routes or on golf
course cart paths to obtain an accurate
count of all deer sighted. Couples may
work together in teams as long as both
sign up separately and note that they
are a couple on the sign-up form.

Volunteers for the deer census may
begin signing up either online or at the
monitor’s desk in the Social Center on
Sept. 6. Sign-up will continue through

2017 Deer Census Sept. 11. Those selected will be notified PHOTO BY BARBARA LUNA
by email or telephone by Sept. 15.
Sign-up period: complete their route. We anticipate
Sept. 6-11 The census will be conducted from needing a total of 70-80 volunteers.
Census date: Sept 18-20. Alternative dates, in case Please note that volunteers will be
Sept. 18-20 of bad weather, will be Sept. 21-22. On prioritized based on two criteria: the
Alt. (rain) date: Monday, Sept. 18, an orientation session time of sign up and ability to participate
Sept. 21-22 will begin at 6:30 p.m. The count begins on all evenings consecutively. As in the
Volunteers needed: 70-80 at approximately 7:15 p.m. and requires past, volunteers not initially assigned
about 1 to 1.5 hours for each team to have been needed as replacements to fill
in unexpected absences on other nights.

“Other than driving around, what else do the COPs do?”

Submitted by Larry Swim, chairman, Citizens on Patrol

Patrolling the neighborhoods and being that we will be present during an and neighbors are unsure of the resi-
a “visible presence” is an important part incident are low, the extra patrols at dent’s whereabouts, COPs will contact
of our overall function. However, Citizens random times may help to discourage the Georgetown Police Department to
on Patrol (COPs) perform many other du- prowling and other mischief. request follow-up.
ties during their shifts; so many that we
recently had to implement priority guide- – Evening security escorts for staff, – Other duties: COPs respond to in-
lines so that those on patrol could consis- as requested: Leaving an empty jured animal calls and follow up as
tently fulfill their patrol routines. building alone in the dark can be needed with the police department.
intimidating which is why COPs are They also respond to complaints of il-
Examples of these additional duties in- available to escort monitors to their ve- legal fishing.
clude: hicle at the end of their shift if needed.
The flashing light and a uniformed COPs are accepting volunteers! As
– Developer-requested security patroller are a deterrent. our community continues to grow,
patrols in the new construction the COPs presence is becoming more
areas. In this case, a marked vehicle – Welfare checks, upon request: and more important. Your basic com-
is present in the work areas and any If a monitor is alerted to a resident mitment is four hours monthly - but
indications of theft are reported im- who has not been seen or cannot be many find it worthwhile to volunteer
mediately to the Georgetown Police contacted, the COPs are frequently more. Qualifications are simple: a
Department and to the developer. dispatched to make a preliminary as- valid driver’s license, felony-free re-
sessment. This entails knocking on the cord and no DWI/DUI convictions.
– Random patrols in neighborhoods door and calling, followed by inquiries We will train you.
with reports of incidents or sus- with neighbors. If there is no response
picious activity: While the chances

ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG SEPTEMBER 2017 SUNRAYS | 15