THUNDER BAY — A volunteer group established last March to conduct community safety patrols along waterways and in neighbourhoods between the Kam River Park and the intercity area has disbanded.
Organizers of the Sleeping Giant Patrol say the workload became too heavy for the handful of members who ended up doing most of the work.
They stepped in after Winnipeg-based Bear Clan Patrol Inc. cut its ties with the Thunder Bay Bear Clan Patrol because the local group was not reflecting the organization's values.
Spokesperson Sheena Campbell says a lot of people said they were willing to participate in safety patrols, "but we weren't seeing them show up in numbers on actual patrol nights."
Campbell said finding volunteers who had the time to contribute became more and more difficult when summer weather arrived.
Organizers initially decided to take a break for summer, with the aim of restarting late this month.
"But we had a group meeting, and based on what was going on in everyone's life, with work and family-related stuff and other things, we just decided to shut it down," Campbell said.
She said there remains a possibility the patrol could be restarted at some point, but there are no current plans for that.
Campbell believes it still proved to be a worthwhile initiative.
"It was a wonderful experience, an eye-opening experience, because we got to see there really is a need for people to go out there and help," she said.
According to Campbell, during the time that it operated, members of the Sleeping Giant Patrol retrieved discarded hypodermic needles, provided food to vulnerable individuals they encountered, and "just added kind of a positive vibe around the neighbourhood."
Co-founder Mel Legarde said Thunder Bay Police appreciated the group's efforts.
"They really liked the idea that there was someone out there with extra eyes and ears," Legarde said.
In one instance, Campbell said, the patrol's presence helped get a woman out of a dangerous situation.
"A fight had broken out, and she was getting hurt pretty badly by a group of people. When they saw us, and our vests, they backed off."
The patrol stayed with the woman and looked after her until police and paramedics arrived.
