Drugs and stolen property were seized and several people charged during a recent crackdown on crime in a “problem area” of Innisfail.
Cannon Park-area residents have expressed “real concern” over illegal activity in the neighbourhood, said Innisfail RCMP Sgt. Lori Eiler.
“We’ve had an increase of minor complaints of mischief and theft from vehicles,” she said.
It became a target area for the detachment’s proactive enforcement project which includes using intelligence from the community and an increased police presence “to keep crime in check,” said Eiler.
In recent weeks, several people have been arrested in the area and charged.
On July 18, Innisfail General Investigation Section with the support of Blackfalds General Investigation Section, was monitoring the area when a person believed to have arrest warrants was observed.
A traffic stop was conducted by Innisfail detachment members and a 36-year-old female from Red Deer County was arrested on outstanding warrants for trafficking in stolen property and use of a forged document from a March 2018 incident in Gasoline Alley.
Summer Kreiser of Red Deer County has been charged with possession of methamphetamine along with two violations under the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act for possession of liquor and possession of cannabis both within reach of the driver.
Kreiser was released by a justice of the peace to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Aug. 8.
A second female with arrest warrants was also observed in the Cannon Park area and a traffic stop was conducted.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Methamphetamine, illicit cannabis and evidence of drug trafficking were seized during the traffic stop, said Eiler.
A day later, police executed a search warrant at a residence on 50th Avenue near Cannon Park.
Methamphetamine, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), illicit cannabis, drug trafficking paraphernalia, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and a recently stolen Yamaha WR250 dirt bike were seized.
Innisfailian Kimberley Peterson, 44, has been charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of psilocybin, and possession of illicit cannabis.
Peterson is scheduled to appear in Red Deer provincial court on Sept. 26.
Twenty-year-old Alex Burns also faces charges in relation to the execution of the search warrant at the residence. They include possession of stolen property, disobeying a court order by possessing ammunition, and possession of methamphetamine.
Burns is scheduled to attend Red Deer provincial court on Aug. 27.
Innisfail General Investigation Section in partnership with Innisfail detachment members will continue with enforcement and proactive policing in Innisfail over the summer months, said Eiler.
The project is ongoing and is achieving success in getting criminals and drugs off the streets as well as deterring crime, she added.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep it in check,” she said.
The project relies on gathering intelligence from community partners like crime watch groups and residents.
“Sitting and waiting for calls to come in is no longer an effective way to police a community,” she said.
People with information regarding drug trafficking and property crime are encouraged to contact Innisfail General Investigation Section at 403-227-8514.
