Richard Froese
Independent reporter
Overall crime figures fell last year in the policing area of Stettler RCMP Detachment, which remains committed to building safe communities and strong partnerships for policing.
“During 2008, total calls for service fell by 16 per cent although the criminal, federal and drug workload rose by 17 per cent,” said Stettler RCMP Sergeant Rowland Schmidt who presented the report to Town of Stettler council at its regular meeting July 7.
“Specifically in the Town of Stettler, our calls for service dropped 16 per cent but our criminal/federal/drug investigations rose by 13 per cent.”
Council appreciates the service of police to the community.
“The presence of police in the community is greatly appreciated and all officers are contributing to work,” said Mayor Jim Hunter during council’s meeting July 7.
“It gives the citizens a better perspective of policing in this community.”
Mayor Hunter also acknowledged the effective service rendered by having a specific officer working in the schools in building relationships with youth.
“I believe our streets are safer because of the effort of the police,” said Sergeant Schmidt.
“Our crime rate is still low to average compared to Drumheller and Didsbury and other communities of like size.”
Responding to concerns of council, Sergeant Schmidt said local police are targeting loud vehicles and mufflers, drug trafficking and vandalism.
Vandalism and property crimes increased slightly last year while sexual crimes fell, he said.
For the County of Stettler, calls rose two per cent while criminal/federal/drug investigations increased by 12 per cent.
“While most villages saw little change in their statistics, the Village of Big Valley saw increases in their calls by 15 per cent and criminal investigations by 47 per cent,” said Sergeant Schmidt.
“During 2008, it appears that Stettler RCMP has been successful responding to calls from the community, in educating the community about crime and investigating, apprehending and arresting criminals.”
Drugs in the community and schools and traffic continue to be major concerns and priorities as the sergeant spoke to county council at its regular meeting July 15.
“I don’t think priorities in the county change from year to year – with safe roads and drugs,” said Reeve Earl Marshall.
Stettler RCMP achieved several goals and objectives set last year.
“The objective of our two priorities for 2008 were to reduce property crimes and reduce incidents of unsafe driving,” said Sergeant Schmidt.
“We exceeded our measurement targets in both areas, reducing thefts by 18 per cent and increasing traffic tickets and impaired driving charges by 45 per cent.”
Sergeant Schmidt credits Citizens on Patrol with its 16 volunteers for playing a major role in reducing crime.
Throughout the year, many drug charges were laid for the possession of trafficking of marijuana and cocaine.
“Numerous other criminal charges were laid against other offenders who committed crimes in our policing area as evidenced by the busy court dockets and extra court sitting scheduled monthly,” said Sergeant Schmidt.
Motor vehicle collision jumped by 12 per cent in the town and two per cent in the county.
Only one fatal crash occurred in the region while local police responded to 25 other crashes involving injuries, a drop from the previous year.
Heartland Victim Services continues to serve a major role, providing assistance on a record 153 investigations, volunteering 2,734 hours to victims of crime.
The town also received funding of $246,744 for the 2009-2010 municipal policing assistance grant from the Alberta Solicitor General Fred Lindsay and Minister of Public Safety.