OLDS — Persons crimes in Olds rose 21 per cent in the fall of 2021 compared with fall 2020, according to Staff Sgt. Warren Wright, commanding officer of Olds RCMP.
Threats rose 150 per cent, from four to 10, and assaults rose 12 per cent, from 25 to 28, from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 2020 versus the same period in 2021.
Wright said the rise in persons crimes is “a direct result of mental health and family violence.”
In light of that fact, deputy mayor Darren Wilson asked Wright during a recent meeting what the RCMP does “to better equip yourselves with the skills and the ability to respond to those situations.”
Wright said RCMP are trained to respond to calls for mental health via experts who offer in-person training and through online courses.
He said that training doesn’t so much cover assessing mental health as how to de-escalate situations.
If necessary, Wright said, alleged perpetrators of that violence, if deemed to be mentally ill, could be taken to facilities in Red Deer.
Wright also said a new mental health unit, expected to begin functioning in mid-March, has been set up in Cochrane RCMP.
He said he doesn’t expect them to come up to Olds to help in various situations, but anticipates they would be available for consultation and advice.
Wilson said: "I appreciate it, because it's a very sensitive, delicate situation for yourself and for the individuals involved. And I think that key word that you mentioned (is) de-escalation, to try and handle such situations.”
