Rimbey RCMP and staff dealt with more than 45 calls for service this week.
Unfortunately, this was a difficult week in dealing with issues involving family crisis situations. The highlights this week were occurrences that the RCMP do not report in much detail to protect the victims and families; those being primarily domestics, mental health situations, suicidal incidents or serious injury/deaths in the community.
Domestics were the majority of calls, involving custody issues with separated parents and assaults. If you or a loved one is dealing with family violence and want advice, please call (403) 310 -1818 or visit the web at familyviolence.gov.ab.ca The family violence info line is available 24 hours a day and is a toll-free number anywhere in Alberta.
Take care hunting gophers
Police were called to shots fired complaints in the area northwest of Rimbey during daylight hours. Officers quickly patrolled the area and found farmers blasting gopher holes with devices that sound similar to gunshots from a distance. These devices are used for rodent control without having to use poison.
Many farmers will also be out shooting gophers with .22-calibre rifles. Please always shoot in a safe direction and have permission on the land you enter. Don't forget to lock up your gun when you are done. Recently, police have been trying to track down rifles that were left in vehicles after a day of gopher shooting. When the trucks were stolen the thieves also scored guns while they were at it.
Truck thefts still occurring
There have been several vehicle thefts in the central Alberta region. These thieves have been targeting unlocked vehicles and in most cases were after Ford F350 or similar type vehicles. In some cases, the keys were even left in the vehicle's glove box or change tray. These occurrences have been happening in town and in the county. Do your part and stop these opportunistic criminals with sticky fingers from making you their next victim. Police have arrested several car thieves these past few weeks but apparently some have yet to be caught.
Finally, the RCMP responded to several motor vehicle collisions. In some cases, seat belts were worn and saved the occupants from severe injury. Always wear your seat belt.
If you have any information on these or any other crimes, please call the Rimbey RCMP detachment at (403) 843-2224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477; #8477 on Telus Mobility; or *8477 on Rogers AT&T.
Crime Stoppers is a community program that does work. Do your part and call now.