DIDSBURY - RCMP officers based at the Didsbury detachment conducted more than 500 proactive patrols and responded to 15 mental health calls in the latest quarter, according to Staff Sgt. Stephen Browne.
Browne recently presented crime statistics from the July 1 to Oct. 30 quarter to Didsbury's municipal council. He also updated council on some detachment activities and plans.
Browne’s report outlined recent activities related to the community priorities of mental health and domestic violence, drug enforcement, increased visibility in the community
Improved processing times within Alberta Health Services has resulted in wait times to average around 60 minutes for mental health calls, he said.
Officers are using a new app to help assess mental health cases on-scene, he said.
“We input all of the information that we have real time at the scene,” he said. “That app then has all the contents of what is required in the Mental Health Act, is able to establish a base perimeter as to how we can move forward from that particular call, whether apprehension is required at the time or we can provide a wrap-around support service after the fact.”
The app also provides information about wait times at area medical facilities, he noted.
Officers responded to six domestic violence calls, with one forwarded to the Crown for pre-charge approval.
Regarding drug enforcement, officers investigated cocaine trafficking within town, resulting in the execution of a search warrant at a local residence.
Regarding visibility, there were 26 foot patrols conducted, primarily in the downtown core. Members conducted 520 proactive patrols in town during the quarter.
As well, combined traffic enforcement by Didsbury officers and traffic units from Airdrie and Innisfail resulted in 30 violation tickets and 10 written warnings being issued.
The report also outlines community consultations during the quarter, including officer participation during the museum’s Canada Day events, which were attended by more than 400 members of the public.
During the quarter, officers responded to a total of 81 Criminal Code offences, including 27 person crimes, five traffic collisions (down from 15 in the same quarter in 2023), and 72 total traffic offences.
Between January and October 2024, officers responded to 37 assaults, 21 criminal harassments, 29 uttering threats, 20 thefts under $5,000, 27 frauds, and 22 mischief damage to property.
“It’s nice to see the motor vehicle collisions down,” said Coun. Bill Windsor.
Browne also updated council on the plans for officers to start being equipped with body-worn cameras in 2025.
“We are scheduled to receive those devises in the new year,” he said. “Our training is scheduled for February and we are currently doing some small infrastructure accommodation at the detachment to house that equipment on station,” he said.
“You should see members wearing those cameras starting in February some time.”
The local detachment has been using in-car cameras for many years, he noted.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter commended the local RCMP officers for their service in 2024.
Council accepted Browne’s report as information.
