DIDSBURY - The Town of Didsbury has officially commended and thanked the RCMP on the 150th anniversary of the formation of the police service.
“For 56 of those 150 years, Didsbury has been home to an RCMP detachment, 56 years that we are very proud of and appreciative for, and 56 years that we have been protected and served by the RCMP,” mayor Rhonda Hunter said during a brief ceremony at the Nov. 14 council meeting.
“As a municipality and as a council, we sincerely respect and appreciate that you’re committed to being accountable to Didsbury as one of the many communities you protect and serve.
“We are proud to work together with you to address the challenges and celebrate the successes with you doing the heavy lifting and thank you for all that you lift.”
On behalf of the town and council, Hunter presented Didsbury RCMP Staff Sgt. Steven Browne with a commemorative painting showing Didsbury’s 20th Street and 20th Avenue intersection.
During the Nov. 14 council meeting Staff Sgt. Brown presented a report on recent crime statistics and police activities in town.
Officers conducted 11 criminal case investigation in the latest quarter, including for assault causing bodily harm, possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, and domestic assault, he said.
Cases investigated included a man being charged with assault causing bodily harm for domestic violence, a woman charged with possession for purpose of trafficking, a man and woman charged with assault and possession of controlled substances (methamphetamine, morphine and cocaine), a man charged with mischief under $5,000 during a neighbour dispute, and a woman charged with making harassing communications.
“Didsbury members have been actively investigating the use and trafficking of opioid and fentanyl as well as other controlled substances in the town of Didsbury,” said Browne. “This quarter the Didsbury detachment has partnered with local pharmacies to help with the education of Didsbury RCMP clients on opioid dependency and addition.
“This includes helping clients to fight addition through the use of safer alternatives, as well as putting the client in touch with expert medical professionals in this field.”
The local RCMP detachment has increased its visibility within the detachment area, he said.
“More enhanced patrols are being made within our communities and rural areas,” he said. “The detachment was able to have a three-layered schedule with expanded shift coverage to increase patrols and visibility within the late night and early hours of the morning when habitual offenders were typically out.”
Council accepted Browne’s report as information.
