Local residents tossed around their questions and concerns regarding local crime.
The Town of Bonnyville’s Crime Prevention Open House on Monday, April 16, was setup for residents to share their unease regarding crime with representatives from the Bonnyville RCMP, Town and MD of Bonnyville, Bonnyville Victim Services, and the Community Policing Committee.
“These meetings, they tend to bring out the frustrations and fears of the public,” expressed MD of Bonnyville, Reeve Greg Sawchuk. “When people see all this going on around them, it’s truly a personal thing. There’s a certain amount of helplessness out there and frustration, and it’s big problem.”
With crime being a common issue across the Lakeland, officials were expecting to fill the seats, but were dissapointed when only about 40 residents attended.
“I was a little bit surprised at the lack of turnout,” expressed Cpl. Kim Hillier, member of the Bonnyville General Investigation Service (GIS) unit.
She explained, “Bonnyville has been a crime centre for a little bit now with lots of property crime. We were really hoping to get more citizens out to help us let them know what we need from them in order to better protect them.”
Speakers focused on crime statistics and their strategies moving forward.
Sgt. Sarah Parke, acting detachment commander for the Bonnyville RCMP, noted the annual priorities for for the local detachment are to focus on drugs, substance abuse, source cultivation, and traffic safety.
“We had over 220 impaired driving estimations in 2016,” she explained. “We’re dealing with this as best as we can. Unfortunately, there’s another level at the justice system that we feel, and agree, needs to be addressed.”
Another topic raised during the meeting was regarding harsher sentences for repeat offenders in the community.
Crime is one of the top items for the Town and MD of Bonnyville. The MD in particular are taking a three-pronged approach to fighting this problem through prevention, apprehension, and application.
“On the provincial side, we need more prosecutors, more court time, and we need those prosecutors to move towards maximum sentences versus the minimum sentence,” Sawchuk stressed. “In terms of bail hearings, instead of letting them out so easily after they’ve been arrested, hold them and keep them in place. A majority of the crimes are being committed by a very small minority. Certainly, we have to look at the length of sentences.”
One resident expressed a concern with criminals not being kept in custody long enough.
Parke replied, “We pick them up, and we put them in jail if they’ve committed a crime. We do our part, and our members are doing the best they can compiling evidence. Then it’s up to the court system and the Crown prosecutor.”
Other concerning questions from the public were regarding 911 services, self-defence and its consequences, and property crime, which included burglary and motor vehicle theft, among others.
Officials from various sides of the issue responded to questions by noting that they can’t permit anyone to use self-defence to prevent someone from committing a crime, however if it’s to save a life, it falls into a different category.
Mayor Gene Sobolewski said, “Property crime is huge. You don’t know what the individuals are committing, what’s going on, whether they’re armed, or what kind of a mindset they’re in.”
“It’s a scary, scary prospect, and they’re looking at the elected officials saying you’ve got to do more,” he continued.
The open house was a follow-up to the Community Policing Committee survey conducted last fall.
The survey, which was completed by local residents and business owners, had a total of 211 responses. It revealed that break and enters were one of the major subjects of issue from respondents, with a total 168 listing it as a concern. Thefts from vehicles were a close second with 149, followed by drug trafficking at 146.
Creating more of a police presence was a suggestion made by locals. It had the support of 159 respondents. Citizens on Patrol had 121, and more public education and awareness came back with 63.
During the event, different stations were open for people to talk one-on-one with officials.
The RCMP recruitment unit was also on-hand to provide some insights on the importance of police members, and the strategies behind their hiring process.
“Over the past few years, from my experience, we’re lacking high-quality applicants,” expressed Cpl. Andy Wetzstein, unit commander for recruiting for RCMP ‘K’ Division.
He explained, “We’re hiring 1,280 police officers nationally, of that 1,280, Alberta is expected to get about 250 to 260.”
Looking at the bigger picture of crime in the community, Hillier said it could usually be traced back to addiction.
“From my unit in particular, if there’s any questions about anything, or any information that people would like to pass along concerning drug sales, trafficking, etcetera in town, we would love to hear from you.”
