The Alberta RCMP is encouraging residents to help build safer communities by joining a local citizen-led crime prevention group.
"While policing is a critical component of public safety, law enforcement alone cannot address the complex challenges some communities face," stated a press release.
The Alberta RCMP says citizen-led groups are "instrumental" in providing valuable insights to police and building partnerships that support community needs.
“No one knows a community as well as it’s residents,” said Chief Superintendent Peter Tewfik, Officer in Charge of Community Safety and Well-being.
“These volunteer-led organizations are our partners. They act as an extra set of eyes and ears in their neighbourhoods and work closely with their local Alberta RCMP detachments. They assist local police by promoting crime prevention education, reporting suspicious or criminal activity, and they strengthen relationships between the police and the community.”
There are several different crime prevention organizations across the province, including Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA), Crime Stoppers, Citizens on Patrol (COP) and Alberta Rural Crime Watch.
ACCPA connects rural and urban communities, law enforcement, and agencies to promote crime prevention education and awareness to community members.
Crime Stoppers empowers citizens to anonymously report crime, while Citizens on Patrol volunteers are trained by the RCMP to patrol local areas, make observations, and report suspicious or unlawful activities directly for follow-up.
Similarly, Alberta Rural Crime Watch groups promote education and awareness, report suspicious activity, and help ensure property security on farmsteads and acreages.
“Everything begins in our communities,” said Jean Bota, executive director of ACCPA. “When strong, engaged citizen-led groups work alongside law enforcement, we harness tremendous citizen power to create meaningful change.”