Town Hall Outlines The Future Of Policing In Strathmore  

Three key priorities for policing in Strathmore were made clear during an RCMP, and municipal town hall on Facebook last night.

The Strathmore RCMP and Town of Strathmore hosted the event, which was led by Strathmore RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Mark Wielgosz.

“We’re always looking for ways to engage with our communities,” he said.

He explained that the police wanted to hear from the community about their perceptions of crime, and what they would like to see from their local police service.

He noted that some people are unaware of what is taking place in terms of policing in the community.

There are three priorities for Strathmore this year. The first is to reduce property crime. The second is road safety, and the third is community engagement.

Wielgosz explained that there are habitual offenders in the community. He noted that about 5 to 10 per cent of the population are committing about 80 per cent of the crime.

Strathmore is currently monitoring 5 individuals in a Habitual Offender Program.

A good example of collaboration in the future will be between police and Citizens on Patrol. Police will be working with Citizens on Patrol to conduct foot patrols to check to see if vehicles are locked to reduce crimes of opportunity.

“Community safety is everybody’s responsibility,” he said. He asked people to report crimes, no matter how big or how small, and to report suspicious activity.

In terms of road safety, the RCMP is working to reduce injury collisions and overall collisions.

He revealed that Checkstops should be increasing over the coming months.

The local police also have a bar-walk program.

Wielgosz said, “We want everyone to safely enjoy their evening, but again encourage those who are out partaking in festivities to ensure that they are making safe choices on how to get home.”

The detachment commander also highlighted a number of programs that are in development within the local police force, and collaboration with members of Alberta Sheriffs for Commercial Vehicle Inspection, and Fish and Wildlife officers.

“We need to have positive relations with the community that we serve,” he said of the third local priority. “Community safety is everyone's responsibility, not just that of the police.”

Wielgosz said “Ultimately, we need our residents to be on the lookout to notice things that are suspicious in the community, to report crime as it's happening, and to assist in investigations.

That could be by providing statements, possibly attending court if necessary, or if you have surveillance on your property. Certainly assisting us in that regard is very helpful when it comes to solving crime.”

He also touched on the relationship between the RCMP and the local Indigenous community, speaking of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the RCMP, Town of Strathmore, and Siksika Nation.

He spoke of enhancing the RCMP’s presence at Indigenous community events and building trusting relationships between the police and Indigenous people.

He noted that the RCMP will continue the practice of hosting community town halls in order to engage with residents but to also hold school visits to provide school talks, be present and provide role models for local students.

There was a question and answer period for the public at the end of the meeting, with questions that were submitted beforehand.