Red Deer RCMP detachment (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

Superintendent Holly Glassford

Red Deer RCMP announce ATV trail patrolling during crime stats update

Jun 12, 2023 | 7:12 PM

If you see an ATV during your walk through the trails of Red Deer, don’t be alarmed, it’s the RCMP on a new patrol.

At city council’s regular meeting on Monday, Red Deer RCMP’s Officer in Charge Superintendent Holly Glassford provided an update on the RCMP’s Annual Policing Priorities (APP) along with fourth quarter crime statistics, from January to March 2023.

Glassford said their detachment has one ATV that will patrol trails during the day and into some evening hours.

“Throughout the warmer months and into the fall, Red Deerians will find Red Deer RCMP officers patrolling trails throughout the city via foot, bicycle, segway and ATV to enhance the feelings of safety as well as to proactively identify issues,” she said.

Other highlights from the report include plans to enhance police response within the community by working with Alberta Health Services to create two more Police and Crisis Teams (PACT), which pairs a psychiatric nurse with an RCMP officer. Currently, there are two PACT teams providing specialized policing resources for mental health calls in Red Deer.

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In Q4, Glassford says both the Downtown Patrol Unit and Red Deer Traffic had strong numbers advancing the RCMP’s crime reduction efforts.

According to the report, property crime decreased 23 per cent in Red Deer during the three months, with theft of motor vehicle down 51 per cent.

The Traffic Section completed seven high-visibility enforcement projects, resulting in hundreds of violations and the issuing of 50 Immediate Roadside Sanctions related to impaired driving. The Downtown Patrol Unit issued an additional nine impaired driving sanctions, and continued targeting issues in the downtown core including the execution of 206 arrest warrants and issuing 253 violation tickets.

Council also inquired about the impact the Community Standards Bylaw on excessive traffic noise. Amended in May 2022, the bylaw sets maximum allowable decibel readings for vehicle noise, as well as increased fines for first and repeat offences.

READ: Fines of $250 for excessive vehicle noise underway in Red Deer

Municipal Policing Services Manager Bart Rowland reported that Community Peace Officers and the RCMP’s Traffic Section have been out conducting noise patrols. He says as of last week, they have had about 75 charges laid, through the Bylaw and the Traffic Safety Act, and that all of the tickets issued have been upheld in Traffic Court. Anecdotally, the City says they have seen a noticeable drop in complaints.

The RCMP claim crime prevention works best when the community takes proactive measures, including participating in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design initiatives, reporting suspicious activity and protecting themselves from fraud.

“I want to thank the community for taking steps to protect their property and continuing to report suspicious activity. Consistent, timely reporting leads to data-driven, intelligence-led policing,” said Supt. Holly Glassford. “Our General Duty teams as well as the specialized support units are committed to the policing priorities and continually work hard to ensure public safety in Red Deer.”

The report also shared that through their work with community partners, the Youth and Community Action Team redirected 22 per cent of youth facing criminal charges away from the criminal justice system towards diversionary programs offered by community organizations.

The 2022-24 APP was developed by the Red Deer RCMP through community consultation in early 2022, with the top three policing priorities identified as: Police Response and Visibility, Crime Reduction, and Engaged Community Partners.

For more information about the Annual Policing Priorities, visit www.reddeer.ca/APP.