Chelsea COP

08/10/2026

Congratulations Mike Cooley being awarded the Community Service award from the Alabama Senior Citizen Hall of Fame!

08/01/2026

Woody having fun with some of the guests at the farmers market at Melrose Park

08/01/2026

👀 Looking for a meaningful way to give back to Chelsea?

The Chelsea Civilian Observation Patrol (COP) is always looking for neighbors who want to make a difference in our community. Whether you're helping direct traffic at local events, assisting with parking, delivering meals to seniors, or simply serving as an extra set of watchful eyes, every volunteer plays an important role in keeping Chelsea safe and welcoming.

Why do our volunteers join?

❤️ Give back to your community
🤝 Meet new people and build friendships
🏛️ Learn more about how your local government serves Chelsea
🌟 Make a real impact while developing new skills
🚓 Support city events, public safety, and community programs

Last year alone, Chelsea COP volunteers contributed more than 6,000 hours of service—saving the City an estimated $224,000 while strengthening the community we all call home. More importantly, they made Chelsea a safer, friendlier place to live.

If you've ever thought about volunteering, we'd love to have you on the team!

To learn more or request an application, contact Assistant Director Doug T. at:
📧 [email protected]

Neighbors. Watchful Eyes. Safer Community. Chelsea COP

08/01/2026

COPs helping at the Chelsea Farmers Market at Melrose park behind Chelsea Community center. There’s a band playing for entertainment. 9-2

08/01/2026

COPs just had their monthly meeting 📆 July 28 at the Chelsea Community center. We opened with a prayer and the pledge of allegiance.
We had 25 COPs in attendance. Normal business was discussed.

07/09/2026

And last but not least History about Woody our most dedicated 24 hour a day COP

Woody our ghost car patrol COP was conceived sometime in the early years of the COP organization to deter speeder on Chelsea roads. The first woody was a plywood cutout in the shape of a person dressed in a COP shirt and cap and was placed behind the steering wheel of the ghost car 9701. Later on someone donated a manikin torso and a wig head that was used for woody.
I joined the COP in 2019 and volunteered to move woody twice per week.
I designed a new Woody with a full body made of cloth with a skeleton made of PVC water pipe and connectors. The new Woody looks almost real and we think he help in causing drivers to slow down.

07/09/2026

Now why should you consider joining the COP.

Chelsea Civilian Observation Patrol (COP) Program

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering Provides Physical and Mental Rewards

Reduce Stress: Experts report that when you focus on someone other than yourself, it interrupts usual tension-producing patterns.
Makes You Healthier: Moods and emotions, like optimism, joy, and control over one's fate, strengthen the immune system.
It Saves Resources and Provides a Valuable Community Service: Civic volunteer service frees up financial resources that can be better spent on local needs such education and infrastructure needs.
The Estimated Value of a Volunteer's Time: In 2026, the national average was $37.38 per man-hour saved (With over 6,000 volunteer man-hours clocked in FY-2026, we saved the city of Chelsea over $224,280).
It Promotes Personal Growth and Self-esteem

Understanding community needs helps foster community growth and self-worth.
You Learn a Lot

About Self: Volunteers discover hidden talents.
About Government: Volunteers learn about the functions and operation of local government and typically become more involved with civic activities.
About Community: Volunteers gain knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs and issues through civic participation.
You get a chance to give back:

People often support community resources they use themselves or that benefit those they care about; volunteering time and service is one of the most meaningful ways to give back.
Volunteering Encourages Civic Responsibility:

Community service and volunteerism are an investment in our community and the people who live in it.
If you, or someone you know may be interested in giving back to our community through volunteer service, please let us know and we will get the process started.
You can email me at [email protected]
I’ll be glad to answer questions or get you an application to join. Doug T asst. Director.

07/09/2026

Here’s a little history about our Chelsea COP (Citizens Observer Patrol)

The City of Chelsea incorporated in 1995 with a population of about 10,000 residents. The COP Citizens Observer Patrol got its start in December 1998.
Jay Jerman COP #1 got the idea from Delray Beach Florida where they had a successful program in progress.
The Chelsea Citizen Observer Patrol (C.O.P.) is an all volunteer organization sponsored by the City of Chelsea Alabama, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and Chelsea Fire and Rescue.
It is composed of Chelsea citizens who, after extensive training before receiving certification go
on patrol in neighborhoods and business areas in Chelsea to help deter crime and to assist in emergencies such as auto accidents, traffic control, and storm damage surveillance.
The C.O.P. Volunteers are not armed, and they do not engage directly in law enforcement. Instead, they observe, and they report appropriate time suspicious activities and problem situations to the Sheriff's Office for investigation and action. As such, the members serve as the eyes and ears for the Shelby County Sheriffs office and Chelsea Fire and Rescue.

The quality of life and community safety in Chelsea are enhanced as a result of the C.O.P. and the efforts of its dedicated members.

Uniformed C.O.P. volunteers on patrol duty can be identified by their white shirts with the C.O.P. Insignia and their available photo I.D. Cards. These volunteers have received extensive training before receiving certification and going on patrol. Volunteers patrol in teams of two. Each member commits to donate a minimum of three hours per week for patrols. We have some that volunteer 30 + hrs per week.

C.O.P. PATROLS
C.O.P. Volunteers randomly patrol the neighborhoods and commercial areas within the city limits of Chelsea.
Each C.O.P. Vehicle is identified with the C.O.P. Insignia and green emergency lighting. Patrol vehicles are equipped with extensive communications capability and a full compliment of other equipment support materials to aid in an emergency.

07/01/2026

The COPs had their June monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 30, at the Chelsea Community Center. We opened with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Fifteen COPs were in attendance, including one new member, Jim McCulla. We all prayed for Jim Paramore's healing and successful surgery on Wednesday. Representatives from RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) were present to talk about the organization and update member information.

05/02/2026