(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

crime prevention and community partnerships

RCMP renames community policing unit as Youth & Community Action Team

Nov 19, 2022 | 1:25 PM

Red Deer RCMP are changing up the name of what’s to-date been known as the Community Policing Unit.

Now known as the Youth & Community Action Team to better reflect what the unit does, members involved are in school hallways, at community events and connect with media, the detachment notes.

Cpl. Mike Evans says the team’s goals won’t change.

“We’ve played a big role in the community with crime prevention, building relationships, education, early intervention and enforcement, but we wanted to redevelop our focus, branding-wise. It doesn’t change our work; we’re still doing presentations at schools about bullying, harassment and online safety,” says Evans.

“We continue to work with partners like the Crime Prevention Centre on environmental design (CPTED) and providing CPTED audits of businesse and residences. We’ll still be running campaigns such as Lock It or Lose It, and our fraud prevention shredding event.”

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Evans says a few years ago, members spearheaded a youth intervention event.

“Whether it’s at school, the mall, on the street or in a care facility, we’ll work with youth anywhere and give that help to hopefully prevent them from ever needing police intervention,” he says. “Sometimes they just need that little bit of guidance.”

For example, says Evans, an essay may be an alternative to a ticket.

“Individuals have come back and said ‘Thank you for giving me a chance to reflect,’ instead of being given a pricey ticket,” he says. “If we can start reducing crime, then we can refocus our work to other areas and make a bigger impact.”