More RCMP presence is wanted in schools and around the community.
Inspector Kevin Murray with the St. Albert RCMP spoke to city council about his detachment's annual performance plan. The plan guides the RCMP's priorities for the coming year, and largely relies on feedback from councillors.
Most councillors said they want to see the RCMP continue its work with youth, especially in high schools where drugs can be a problem. They also want officers to patrol the neighbourhoods, and educate citizens about keeping their property safe from theft.
Murray said the RCMP already plans to continue its work in those areas.
"We are encouraging the members of the task force to be out, be visible and be of observing behaviours, gathering intelligence of what is happening in the community," he said. "And that will certainly continue."
Drug use in schools
Several council members emphasized the importance of working with youth.
Murray said the community policing section is robust and "fully tasked to the activities that take place in and around the school environment." RCMP officers work with youth to address drug problems in schools, he said. Programs such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Program (DARE) help, but so do officers who work directly with the students and police the schools.
"We also make sure that information is available to our drug enforcement unit to ensure that they are aware of some of the issues that are going on," he said.
But Murray said officers could not do all of the work by themselves. Both Mayor Nolan Crouse and Coun. Cathy Heron worried about fewer, older students meeting with officers and "losing that touch." They asked if a program could be created to work with junior high and high school students.
Murray said he would look into that. He added that the RCMP continues to encourage its members to visit schools, even when that means taking time out of their busy schedule. There is also one full-time school resource officer at the schools. But parents must continue that officer's work at home, he said.
"I understand that not every child has that same relationship with their parents but there are a lot of opportunities, a lot of social agencies, within St. Albert that can provide that additional support," he said.
He added that, in his opinion, the community does not need a curfew for youth similar to one recently introduced in Taber, Alta. The majority of youth in St. Albert are good citizens who "are doing productive things in our community," he said.
Community policing
Property crime also remains on the radar for the St. Albert RCMP.
Councillors continue to hear from residents who fall victim to minor crimes, break-ins and car thefts. Coun. Cam MacKay said minor property issues often seem to be the start "and when you don't get caught they seem to escalate." He wants to see more RCMP patrolling the streets.
Other council members asked the RCMP to continue their education on crime prevention. "I think education is a key there and that doesn't only sit with children," said Coun. Gilles Prefontaine.
Murray said that visibility remains a priority. There is now more traffic enforcement and members working with liquor establishments to deter people from drinking and driving. There are also more officers driving through the community "looking for activity that is out of character for the time and location they are at."
He was asked to provide council with information on impaired driving trends in St. Albert. The RCMP will also look at increased enforcement for areas where drag racing creates problems in the summer.
Asked about serious and organized crime in the community, he said that largely remains in Edmonton. Any spillover is often related to drug sales, which the drug enforcement unit looks after. Identity-theft related crimes are not a specific issue in the community, he added.
