MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - Olds and District Rural Crime Watch Association members have renewed their commitment to fight crime across the region.
During the non-profit association’s annual general meeting on Mar. 30, newly re-elected chairman Jason Leach said members are keen to do what they can to make sure area property owners and others are protected and supported.
“Going forward in 2021 the mandate of rural crime watch hasn’t changed,” said Leach. “We still encourage our members to report any suspicious activities to the RCMP. We want our members to be the eyes and ears of the RCMP and we’d also like you to pass that idea on to your neighbours.
“It doesn’t do any good for people to observe criminal behaviour but then not report that behaviour in a timely manner to the RCMP. The reason it is important is that the RCMP collects this information and uses it to create crime maps and allows them to create priority areas where they can shift resources.”
Association members help prevent crime by reporting suspicious activities and individuals to police, through public awareness programs, and with website/Facebook postings. It covers all of the Mountain View County geographic area.
Members held a moment of silence for the late, longtime association secretary, Judy Schlichenmayer, who passed away in September 2020.
Held by Zoom and teleconference, the annual general meeting included a presentation by Didsbury RCMP Staff Sgt. Chad Fournier on behalf of all three RCMP detachments in the district.
He commended association members for their efforts over the past year and encouraged them to continue the work in 2021.
“I can only begin to say how valuable the rural crime watch is from our perspective,” said Fournier. “We can’t be everywhere all of the time and it’s unrealistic to expect that. The rural crime watch, they are the eyes and ears that really help us.
“You guys live in your area. You know who is coming and going and you know if people look out of place or if there are vehicles out of place. We very much rely on your help and assistance.”
RCMP officers stepped up patrols of commercial areas during the early stages of the pandemic, he said.
Much of the property crime in the region is being driven by criminals needing money for drugs, he said.
Rural property crimes have been markedly down in the region over the past year, he said.
“From 2019 to 2020 it was down 35 per cent,” he said. “We are definitely going in the right direction.”
Motor vehicle collisions are also down in the region, he said.
Continuing to be visible in the region and ensuring safety on area highways and roads will remain priorities for RCMP in the district, he said.
Mountain View County peace officer Kevin Heppler also made a report during the annual general meeting.
Anyone witnessing suspicious activities and individuals in the region may want to make use of the new county app to make reports, he said.
Peace officers noticed a marked reduction in road traffic during the early stages of the pandemic, he said.
Financially the organization is doing well, in part because of less activities being possible due to the pandemic, said Leach.
The annual general meeting saw Leach re-elected as chairman, Glen Bishell re-elected as vice-chair, and Gerald Ingeveld re-elected as past chairman. Fred Bay was re-elected as member-at-large, and Kelly Lloyd was elected as secretary.
