9 volunteers patrol streets

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nine additional sets of eyes and ears began patrolling the South Division on Thursday.

At first glance, the Citizens On Patrol look like Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers. They wear a uniform and drive a marked car with lights, but they don’t carry a gun or a badge.

They donate their time, helping stranded drivers, checking on the elderly, and deterring car break-ins.

“They don’t have weapons or powers of arrest but they give their time to go out there and be out there and make sure people aren’t doing what they aren’t supposed to be doing,” said Chris Perez, coordinator for Citizens on Patrol.

The volunteers are currently working in three other divisions and just expanded the program to patrol the South Division. Perez says the initiative has been in the works since September, and is not a response to recent bouts of home and car break-ins, but the extra eyes and ears are appreciated.

“I think it's great because I think a lot of crime wouldn’t happen if there were more vigilance and more people out here trying to stop this kind of stuff,” said Matt Potter, who’s had break-ins in his Ballantyne neighborhood.

Home break-ins in the South Division in the first three months of the year were up 37 percent from the year before, and car break-ins were up 82 percent from the same time in 2007.

“What we’re going to do is patrol those hot spot areas, which there are three and we’ll be sure to make sure we create a presence there,” said Frederick Haeflein, a Citizen On Patrol who previously volunteered with the Steele Creek division.

Citizens On Patrol are required to undergo background checks, and at least 110 hours of training. They also must volunteer 16 hours a month.