The visibility of peace officers in Penhold should increase in the coming weeks. Dana Jones, started her new role as sergeant supervisor last week. With the promotion Jones is also getting bumped from part time officer to full time, a first for the group of three officers.
“I think it’s a positive and a progressive step for Penhold,” said Jones of the promotion. “It demonstrates to the community that the town is engaged in public safety matters within the community. I’m very excited in taking on the role of sergeant and brining ten years of law enforcement to work with the town to benefit its citizens.”
Jones graduated from Police Foundations at Sir Sanford Fleming College in 2002 has been actively working in law enforcement ever since. She started in Penhold last June.
She said the group of officers would be following the Alberta traffic safety plan that details different focus each month. For October, it’s occupant restraints. In November, it’ll be pedestrian safety.
She said allowing for her full time role, people can expect to see an increase number of patrols, better coverage of the town and enhanced public safety.
“We will be very visible. It will allow for a great ability to interact with public safety and traffic safety stakeholders,” she said.
A new focus for Jones and other officers will be the new four way stop erected at Lucinia St. and Robinson Ave.
“We want to create a safe walk to school. The town is growing and more developments are being built which means more children. People have concerns about Highway 2A and we need to educate students for a safe route to school,” she said explaining that by talking to students to all use the same route and cross walk to school drivers can become aware of where to expect students. She said sometimes students try and hop across roads before reaching an intersection to save time, but that becomes a danger for them and for drivers.
