By Sheldon Spackman

Survey Says...

Penhold residents mostly satisfied with policing services

Jul 17, 2020 | 3:30 PM

A recent survey gauging the level of satisfaction Penhold residents have with their policing services shows most residents are satisfied but would like to see more officers made available.

The survey conducted from June 23-28 saw 137 residents respond, with nearly 55 per cent indicating they were at least somewhat satisfied with the RCMP’s level of service to Penhold. Aside from its Community Peace Officer program, Penhold’s policing services come mainly from the Innisfail RCMP Detachment.

Among neighbourhood concerns, survey respondents identified theft, robbery and mischief as their top concerns, followed by drugs and overall safety. Nearly 10 per cent had no concerns.

Mayor Mike Yargeau points out, the Town put out the survey on the RCMP’s behalf.

“Anytime our local detachment asks us to assist in getting feedback, we are happy to help with that,” says Yargeau. “The information helps us to know what our residents priorities are when it comes to the service we get from the RCMP.”

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In terms of how safe Penhold residents feel in their community, the survey shows more than 85 per cent feel safe or very safe, while nearly 14 per cent felt unsafe or very unsafe. Almost 55 per cent, however, feel the level of crime in the community has increased.

Yargeau says what stands out to him the most is that Penhold residents want to see an increase in police presence.

“Generally, Penholders are very happy with the level of service we get from the Innisfail Detachment but we would like to see them in our community more,” adds Yargeau. “The RCMP do a great job, recognize that they are stretched thin and have a large area to cover. Penhold will do our best to assist in bringing in more resources to help with that wherever we can.”

In that regard, the survey results show that over 78 per cent of Penhold residents feel it is very important for police to be engaged and visible in the community, with over 93 per cent indicating that should be done by vehicle instead of bicycles or foot patrol.

Yargeau says information from the survey has been passed back to the RCMP and they will be using it to guide some of their decisions moving forward.