DIDSBURY – Town councillors have been given an update on the activities and plans of the local RCMP detachment and fire department. The review came during last week’s regularly scheduled council meeting.
Didsbury RCMP Staff Sgt. Chad Fournier presented his second quarter report, outlining person and property crime numbers.
He told council that vehicle thefts continue to be seen in the district, particularly at night.
“Lock your vehicle doors and take your keys with you,” said Fournier. “Simple things like that can go a long way. It’s a crime of opportunity.”
Motorists are advised not to leave their vehicles unattended when using command start to run the air conditioning or heater, he said.
In the first half of 2019, there was one reported sexual assault, 23 reported assaults, 17 criminal harassment calls, and seven uttering threat calls, for a total of 49 calls.
There were 56 persons crimes in the same period last year.
There were 13 break and enters reported, 38 thefts of motor vehicles reported, one theft over $5,000 reported, 44 theft under $5,000, and 50 mischiefs to property reported so far in 2019.
In all there were 154 calls, compared with 129 for the same period last year.
There were three injury motor vehicle collisions reported, and 25 property damage in motor vehicle collisions.
There were 27 false alarms and 28 suspicious person/vehicle calls received.
Mayor Rhonda Hunter commended the detachment’s officers and staff for their work.
“Thank you for all you do for our community,” said Hunter.
Deron Reimer, fire chief of the Didsbury fire department, provided an update on the department’s recent activities and plans.
He said there are currently 31 members in the department.
A recruiting drive will be conducted this fall to garner more members, he said.
Reimer said the department has received its new aerial truck from Rocky Mountain Phoenix.
“The truck is extremely versatile as it carries firehose, the 75-foot ladder, an onboard water tank and fire pump. The department has been taking the time to outfit it accordingly and training the membership to use it properly,” Reimer said.
Recent training has been conducted for wildland operations, interior fire attack and rescue at a decommissioned residential house, he said.
The department has also received new emergency extrication tools.
“The tools are a Hurst brand that are battery powered ‘e-draulic.' The department purchased a cutter, spreader, ram and a combination tool,” he said.
“There is a buzz in the hall about the new equipment,” he said.
Five members were deployed to help fight wildfires in northern Alberta over a four-shift rotation, he said.
“Crews on scene were tasked with hotspot detection, regular patrols and setup, testing and taking down of residential sprinkler systems,” he said. “The overall success of the mission is seen in the result of both High Level and La Crete communities being saved.”
Department members took part in this year’s Show and Shine – Fuel-A-Palooza, and the Bow stair climb event in support of cancer research, he said.
“Our community is well protected by our fantastic fire department,” said Mayor Hunter.
