By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris George described Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol members as a “shining example” for others in their volunteerism.

“You are the eyes and the ears and the heartbeat of Chelsea,” George said to the members, who were joined by family, fellow law enforcement officers and city officials at Liberty Baptist Church on Feb. 23. “Thank you for your service.”

George was among several people who spoke highly of the COP at the group’s 17th annual awards meeting, where members were honored for their individual and collective efforts to patrol the city, deter crime and help during events and emergencies.

Sponsored by the city and the SCSO, the COP is comprised of unarmed volunteers who report suspicious activity they see in Chelsea to law enforcement for appropriate action.

“You have taken time to take care of a community that sometimes hasn’t taken the time to care for itself,” George said before sharing the group’s patrol hours and mileage from last year.

In 2015, the COP patrolled 1,990 hours and drove more than 18,000 miles. A deputy will patrol about 2,000 hours in one year, George said, and the SCSO would have to hire 11 additional deputies to accrue the same number of miles the COP logged for free.