CREMONA - A recent multi-stakeholder forum sponsored by the local chamber of commerce to discuss ways to combat property crime in the village and district was certainly worthwhile, says officials.
In a report received by the Village of Cremona council at a recent council meeting, forum organizers said there was a good exchange of ideas and suggestions.
Forum participants included village councillors, chamber of commerce members, RCMP officers, and business owners from Cremona and Water Valley.
“The meeting was a very useful dialogue between business owners and the RCMP officers addressing prevention and how to deal with crimes in progress or post-crime,” Donald Carveth, chamber of commerce secretary, said in the report.
In recent months there has been an upturn in district crime, particularly break-ins in the rural areas surrounding the village, he said.
RCMP recently arrested a suspect believed responsible for a break-in at the Red Barn and other property, and have also identified a suspect in a recent break-in at the bottle depot.
The RCMP is recommending that local business owners consider setting up video surveillance of their properties.
“Video cameras and security systems are highly recommenced. They often provide the RCMP with information needed to make an arrest. They are not that expensive these days,” he said.
The RCMP is keen to work with local and areas businesses on crime prevention efforts, he said.
Reporting suspicious activities and individuals to the RCMP without delay is always helpful in identifying suspects.
The area’s rural crime watch association is a valuable resource in crime prevention and incident reporting, he said.
Next steps discussed during the forum included the possibility of placing signage on Highway 22 at the entrance of the village to deter criminals, such as “Cremona Crime - We Are Ready."
“The general feeling was the meeting was a very good start,” he said, noting that the RCMP officers in the district are interested in working with the local community going forward.
“It was a good meeting and the RCMP guys who came out were very helpful. They are up to working together with the local people and we have to work cooperatively.”
Chamber officials are awaiting a follow-up report from the RCMP on crime prevention measures the village and area might want to consider, he told The Albertan.
Council received the forum report as information.
