A former RCMP detachment commander for Rimbey, now based out of Rocky Mountain House RCMP detachment as a staff sergeant has been reassigned and in his new role he plans to reduce crime in several rural areas including Rimbey.
Staff Sergeant Groves will now oversee and assist the Detachment Commanders responsible for Rimbey, Blackfalds, Sylvan Lake, Innisfail, Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House.
“This role will provide lots of opportunity for moving forward. And I have a personal, vested interest in Rimbey,” he said.
He noted Rocky Mountain House RCMP has been successful in significantly reducing rural crime complaints in Clearwater County, including the Leslieville and Caroline areas. This has included a reduction in theft complaints from rural residences and oil field industry, when comparing last year’s statistics. Rocky Mountain House RCMP has been collaboratively working with community members and groups such as the Clearwater District Rural Crime Watch Association to effectively reduce possession of stolen property and vehicle theft complaints this last year.
One of the primary assignments for Staff Sergeant Groves is to work towards implementing a crime reduction plan for the District outside of Red Deer focusing on the rural areas.
“I will be roaming between all six detachments,” he said.
Detachment Commanders throughout Central Alberta met last week to discuss rural crime and other important matters relating to improving service delivery in Central Alberta. It was noted that rural crime statistics have drastically risen in some areas and have been reduced in other areas. By implementing best practices and strategies that have proven successful in other detachment areas on a broader scope, rural crime statistics will be reduced. A well-led, focused crime reduction program will drive crime down in Central Alberta and enable frontline RCMP employees to focus on additional operational priorities.
Groves noted that vehicle theft is often caused by people leaving their cars unlocked and their keys inside, adding that statistics on stolen vehicles showed that 52 per cent of the stolen vehicles had keys left inside.
“Lock up your cars,” he said. Crime prevention shouldn’t fall entirely on the police. We are all in this together.”
Sergeant Jay Penner, the Operations Non Commissioned Officer for Rocky Mountain House Detachment, will be the Acting Detachment Commander during Staff Sergeant Groves’ absence.