Anacortes Police Department Auxiliary Patrol

The Anacortes Citizens Auxiliary Patrol is a volunteer organization under the supervision of the Anacortes Police Department. It began in 1992 with volunteers who joined together to provide an expanded Neighborhood Watch program.

Over the years, two separate patrol groups emerged: the Downtown Patrol and the West End Patrol. Each group serves as extra "eyes and ears" for the police department in their respective area of the city. Both groups are under the guidance of the APD Crime Prevention Officer.

The Anacortes Police Department is committed to the growth and continued success of the program. In a spirit of partnership with the community, our pledge is to recruit, train, and retain dedicated volunteers who will participate in meaningful community safety, security, and service activities.
 

Some roles and responsibilities of Auxiliary Patrol members are as follows:

General patrol: serving as a supplemental to the APD Patrol Unit, members look for suspicious behavior, such as out of place vehicles or people, and serve as a conduit between the public and the police.

Vacation house checks: members perform home checks while residents are on vacation as part of their patrol duties.

Business checks: after business hours, volunteers check doors and windows, making sure businesses are secure.

Assistance at special events: Anacortes is famous for several special events such as National Night Out, the Arts Festival, and several holiday parades and parties. Auxiliary Patrol members serve as a resource to event participants and APD personnel on the scene.