The Olds and District Rural Crime Watch Association (RCW) will be focusing on a number of things in 2019, including increasing youth participation in its activities, says president Gerald Ingeveld.
“We want to get a little more youth-focused this year,” said Ingeveld. “We will try to get some speakers in and maybe some workshops. We’ve applied for a grant so we want to focus on that a little more.
“The kids have to remember to lock the doors too; it can’t just always be the parents. It’s too bad when kids are getting their bikes stolen. There are actually rings that go around stealing bikes. We want to increase youth awareness on what they can do to protect their property.”
Covering the entire Mountain View County area, the RCW association works with police and other stakeholders to identify and report criminal activities and to provide awareness of crime prevention measures and tips.
“Last year was a pretty interesting year, with the town hall meetings with the MLAs and the MP from our area attending,” said Ingeveld, who also sits on the Alberta Crime Watch Association (ACWA) board.
“A lot of people got excited and we started to see a little bit of change in how the RCMP operates. Around the Olds and Didsbury area, that crime unit they (RCMP) put together has been knocking some numbers down, so that’s good.
“We’d like to see that continue or even expand across our area and across the province.”
The dedicated RCMP unit has been targeting repeat offenders in an effort to reduce rural property crime.
RCW plans to continue to dialogue with local Citizens On Patrol groups in the region in 2019, he said.
A workshop was held last fall where COP officials encouraged RCW members to join local COP groups.
The local association will also continue to work with local RCMP members to identify local areas of concern, he said.
Meanwhile, Ingeveld says he plans to retire as president of the RWA following the association’s March annual general meeting.
“I will continue as past president,” he said. “I think it’s necessary to keep some different people in there, to get some young people involved.”
In other news, the provincial rural crime watch association recently issued an updated list of safety tips for people to help prevent personal and property crime.
• Ensure your house number is clearly displayed so emergency responders can find your house quickly.
• For rural community residents, ensure you know your legal land address as emergency personnel cannot respond to box number addresses.
• Keep premises secure at all times, including garages and vehicles.
• Ensure the man door from the garage to your home is always locked.
• Change door locks when you move into a new residence.
• Install a one-inch deadbolt, and do not rely on door chains.
• Install and use a peephole in the front door. Never open the front door to a stranger.
• Secure sliding windows and doors.
• Consider installing an intrusion alarm.
• Lock patio doors with a second locking device when possible.
• Keep outside entryways and driveways well lit.
• Keep shrubbery from concealing doors and windows.
