Long-time Stratford volunteer Harry McLellan is being hailed as a man who helped make the town a safer place.
McLellan, who launched Citizens on Patrol in Stratford in 2008, was honoured by the town and the RCMP’s top brass prior to council’s regular public monthly meeting on Wednesday night.
McLellan is moving out to British Columbia to be closer to his grandchildren.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Mark Crowther says the first time he met McLellan was at an accident scene three years ago.
“When I showed up on the scene, there was bits of plastic and tail lights and just debris everywhere for what was probably a quarter of a mile,’’ Crowther said. “I remember stepping out of the car and looked behind me and there was this man, and he had brooms out and he saying ‘You go there (and) you come here young man’. It was Citizens on Patrol. It was Harry McLellan.
“He essentially had charge of the scene and it was very fitting because that’s how he runs Citizens on Patrol. He’s a leader; he leads with authority and he does a very good job.’’
Citizens on Patrol operated with volunteers and the co-operation of the RCMP and the town. Patrollers don’t wear uniforms are not associated with the RCMP. They use their own personal cars and pay for their own gas.
Council passed a motion in 2009 allowing the volunteer group, which boasts 20 members today, to be covered by the town’s insurance programs.
McLellan also helped to set up a similar program in Souris.
McLellan deflected praise, saying the idea would not have worked without the help of the town, the RCMP and those who volunteer their time to keep an eye on the community.
“It’s a partnership we established here in Stratford and it’s our volunteers (that make it work),’’ McLellan said. “I learned a lot the last three years, particularly from Mark. He says ‘get out and talk to people’ and I did that, and I believe the rest of our volunteers also do that.’’
It’s a program that exists nationwide and actually originated in western Canada. McLellan said Stratford has the youngest volunteers in the country, noting that it says a lot about the dedication of residents in the town.
Mayor David Dunphy said McLellan’s dedication and enthusiasm aren’t easily replaced.
“He always has an idea and he always has a plan,’’ Dunphy said. “He’s a guy I’ve got a lot of time for. We are sorry to see him go.’’
Twitter.com/DveStewart
Long-time Stratford volunteer Harry McLellan is being hailed as a man who helped make the town a safer place.
McLellan, who launched Citizens on Patrol in Stratford in 2008, was honoured by the town and the RCMP’s top brass prior to council’s regular public monthly meeting on Wednesday night.
McLellan is moving out to British Columbia to be closer to his grandchildren.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Mark Crowther says the first time he met McLellan was at an accident scene three years ago.
“When I showed up on the scene, there was bits of plastic and tail lights and just debris everywhere for what was probably a quarter of a mile,’’ Crowther said. “I remember stepping out of the car and looked behind me and there was this man, and he had brooms out and he saying ‘You go there (and) you come here young man’. It was Citizens on Patrol. It was Harry McLellan.
“He essentially had charge of the scene and it was very fitting because that’s how he runs Citizens on Patrol. He’s a leader; he leads with authority and he does a very good job.’’
Citizens on Patrol operated with volunteers and the co-operation of the RCMP and the town. Patrollers don’t wear uniforms are not associated with the RCMP. They use their own personal cars and pay for their own gas.
Council passed a motion in 2009 allowing the volunteer group, which boasts 20 members today, to be covered by the town’s insurance programs.
McLellan also helped to set up a similar program in Souris.
McLellan deflected praise, saying the idea would not have worked without the help of the town, the RCMP and those who volunteer their time to keep an eye on the community.
“It’s a partnership we established here in Stratford and it’s our volunteers (that make it work),’’ McLellan said. “I learned a lot the last three years, particularly from Mark. He says ‘get out and talk to people’ and I did that, and I believe the rest of our volunteers also do that.’’
It’s a program that exists nationwide and actually originated in western Canada. McLellan said Stratford has the youngest volunteers in the country, noting that it says a lot about the dedication of residents in the town.
Mayor David Dunphy said McLellan’s dedication and enthusiasm aren’t easily replaced.
“He always has an idea and he always has a plan,’’ Dunphy said. “He’s a guy I’ve got a lot of time for. We are sorry to see him go.’’
Twitter.com/DveStewart
Quick notes on Harry McLellan
- Launched Citizens on Patrol in Stratford in 2008
- Helped launch similar program in Souris
- Awarded Stratford Volunteer of Year in 2014
- Volunteer with kidney foundation in P.E.I.
- Member of the Holland College football booster club
- Board member P.E.I. Humane Society
