About 20 people attended a town hall forum hosted by officers from the Stettler RCMP detachment and peace officers from Stettler County.
The forum was held on March 20 at the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) hall in Erskine.
Staff Sgt. Cam Russell, current Stettler RCMP detachment commander, told the attendees that crime in the region has been declining.
According to Russell, the reductions can be attributed to community diligence and people locking up their property.
He noted that community members know who should be around better than anyone, and if something seems out of place, people should call.
“No call is too small,” said Russell.
“I’d rather know about it than not.”
To emphasize the importance of locking up property, during Russell’s opening remarks, two constables who were in attendance headed into the parking lot and began checking vehicle doors.
When they returned, they reported that three vehicles were unlocked, one with the key in the ignition, as evidenced by the constable holding it up at the back of the hall.
“Point made,” said Russell.
“We know what it’s like in rural communities … we can’t be everywhere.”
Russell noted that taking simple precautions like keeping things locked up, recording serial numbers, and otherwise making your property inhospitable for the criminal element will often cause those looking to cause problems to give up or move on to softer targets.
Stettler County, Protective Services Manager Clint Sime noted that especially when it comes to rural properties, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) can be used to reduce the impact of crime.
A CPTED review of a property can be conducted by Sime or any of the other county peace officers at no cost.
“It won’t make a complete stop to crime,” said Sime.
“But it can push it on to other (softer targets).”
When asked about what can be done about repeat offenders, Staff Sgt. Malcolm Callihoo, who was at the event representing the RCMP, noted it is a frustration felt by the officers as well as the community.
He said that one statistic he had seen was that approximately 10 percent of criminals commit about 70 percent of the crimes.
He added that there are “initiatives” in the works, but everything takes time.
It was noted that one change coming to Stettler which should help is the addition of a court day which will be for trials only, which may help reduce the backlogs on other days.
Sime added that the province is also trialling virtual court for all traffic matters, which should “streamline” that system.
When asked by landowners in attendance about what can be done when it comes to defending property, Russell said ultimately, it comes down to what’s in the Criminal Code.
“Every case is different,” said Russell.
“It depends on the circumstances.”
Ultimately, says Russell, it is all property and not worth someone’s life.
“Protect yourself the best you can, but don’t risk your life,” said Russell.
“It’s not worth it.”
Instead, he says, get as much information as possible. A description of the vehicle the suspect is driving in, what they are wearing, and even if they have a limp or any other defining characteristics can all lead the officers to a successful rest.
Russell also noted that, ultimately, “It’s not what you know — it’s what you can prove.”
“One of the keys is information,” agreed Callihoo.
“Timely information.”
Russell also noted that second- or third-hand information isn’t sufficient to get a warrant.
According to Russell, actionable information needs to come from someone who actually witnesses something in a timely manner, something that is challenging in a small community because people don’t want to get involved.
“The key is getting a justice to sign a warrant,” said Callihoo.
Callihoo noted that if, for example, someone reports drugs at home four days later, the RCMP is less likely to get a warrant signed off than if it was reported the same day because of the likelihood they would have been moved.
The Stettler RCMP detachment covers an area from approximately Highway 21 in the west to in between Gadsby and Halkirk in the east, and Byemoor and Big Valley in the south to Buffalo Lake in the north.
Stettler’s region is served by 13 officers, including Russell, three support staff and a three-officer traffic unit.
The Erskine town hall lasted around 90 minutes.