CPL. TERRY BEST/Stettler report
In the past week Stettler RCMP responded to a total of 65 calls for service with almost 20 percent of the calls being false 911 or false alarm calls. 911 calls are initially a high priority call which requires an appropriate response by police which takes them away from other duties.
This is a trend which is growing, not only in the Stettler Detachment area but in Alberta in general. Many of these calls are from cellular phones which make it difficult to accurately track the location of the caller. It is estimated the average time spent on a false alarm call could be as high as 45 minutes to an hour depending on the location.
Police will be looking at developing a strategy to help reduce the number of false alarm and false 911 calls in the upcoming months.
In other police news, on June 28 a citizen in the 4100 block of 65A Street reported some of their property damaged by vandals. On the same night another person in the 6100 block of 47 Avenue reported their vehicle being vandalized as well. Property was minimal.
In the early morning hours of June 29 Police were alerted to a disturbance on 62 Street in the 4200 block where two people were reported fighting. The involved parties were gone from the area when police arrived.
On June 30 a Big Valley area resident reported a shed broken into and a number of tools stolen. The matter is under investigation.
During this time period police responded to 10 traffic complaints. With the increased traffic on Alberta roads during the summer months, motorists are reminded to take your time and drive defensively.