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Rimbey RCMP see calls for service drop slightly

Rimbey detachment gains some ground against criminals
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Rimbey RCMP and law breakers continue to rage a battle and even though the detachment regularly deals with theft, break-ins and assaults, it seems they are gaining ground.

Rimbey Detachment Commander, Sergeant Kurtis Pillipow said there has been less calls or service this year than in 2017.

“We have had 16.6 per cent decrease in calls for service from January to September in 2018 as compared to 2017.”

He noted in 2017 Ponoka County represented 42.3 per cent of the calls, Rimbey represented 34 per cent, 7.6 per cent came from Lacombe County and 4.1 came from Clearwater County.

It seems thieves willing to steal items valued at under $5,000 fill up the most files.

Pillipow said from January to September, police dealt with 113 incidents of theft under $5,000. They also handled 54 incidents of break and enters to a residence and 48 incidents of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

There were also 34 reports of stolen motor vehicles and 45 incidents of assault.

Pillipow noted that property crime is a significant factor in many Central Alberta communities.

He added that assaults are difficult to prevent as they often take place between two individuals who are familiar with each other.

Pillipow said the Rimbey detachment works continually with Alberta RCMP to address the property crime issues.

“Rimbey detachment is trying to create efficiencies and direct police resources where they are most needed. We try to target property criminals or crime that has a widespread impact which causes the most harm as opposed to an isolated event or one that has minimal impact on the greater community.”

Some initiatives that have been implemented by the detachment and Alberta RCMP include monitoring habitual offenders, specifically those prolific property criminals.

The Central Alberta District crime reduction unit is a valuable resource, Pillipow noted.

He said these plainclothes police officers continually receive and review information on offenders with outstanding warrants and criminals who have been involved in property crime and/or drug offences in the area. They also monitor locations where property crime and/or illicit drug activity has taken place as well as areas where suspects may return.

Pillipow noted that incoming calls intercepted by a member of the crime reduction unit, can save officers who are already on the road valuable time.

“A centralized data centre team will handle records management and routine data entry to allow frontline offiers to focus on policing our communities, not doing admin work. Preliminary results show every call to the PROS Data Centre saves an officer 40 minutes of paperwork,” he said.

While Pillipow noted that the RCMP are major players in the fight against crime, he noted that the community as a whole plays a role.

“Crime reduction/prevention is not the sole responsibility of the RCMP, it takes a multifaceted approach from a diverse group of stakeholders including community members.”