The Bulletin

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President’s Message

The slow quiet days of winter have passed us by, being replaced by the hustle and bustle of spring. What with planning and working and so much to do - and don't forget holidays in there somewhere - we are all just so busy now. We must not forget all that we learned through the winter about how to keep ourselves and our property safe. Looking out for community and friends helps all of us, and one another, to be stronger and therefore safer from the grasp of the criminal element.

Have a safe and fruitful summer.

The Annual General Meeting

News Release

“Providing healthcare workers with clear gunshot and stab wound reporting rules helps ensure police can get the information they need to protect the public from possible escalation of violence or retaliatory measures,” said Frank Oberle, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. “This legislation is a good balance between a patient’s right to privacy of health information and law enforcement’s need for information to help keep the public safe.”

“Combating violent crime requires a broad approach,” said Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky. “This legislation is part of that approach. The act provides clear direction for health care professionals about the specific information they can share with police, who can then take steps to address the situation. Working together, we can help to keep our communities safe.”

The Gunshot and Stab Wound Mandatory Disclosure Act deals with individuals who are dropped off or show up at emergency rooms or health centres seeking treatment for gunshot or stab wounds. The legislation ensures police are only provided with limited information, such as the patient’s name, location of health facility and type of wound, not the individual’s health details. Previously, healthcare practitioners had to use their discretion when reporting these types of wounds. The legislation applies to incidents where someone has been shot or stabbed and police are not aware.

The Alberta government has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. An important part of The Way Forward is maintaining support for programs and services Albertans need most, such as health care, education and safe and vibrant communities. For more information on the plan visit Alberta.ca.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Christine Nardella Communications Solicitor General and Public Security Phone: 780-427-7431

John Tuckwell Health and Wellness Communications Phone: 780-427-7164

To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Submitted by Frank Debogorski

Online survey asks Albertans how to improve police complaints and discipline process

“We are developing a new framework for law enforcement to ensure policing in Alberta continues to be modern, flexible, and professional,” said Frank Oberle, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. “An important part of this work is reviewing the current process of police discipline, which includes the process for hearing and resolving complaints about police conduct. We want to hear what Albertans have to say about this issue.”

Alberta’s process for police complaints and discipline has remained largely unchanged since the 1973 Police Act. Police, stakeholders and members of the public have asked for a complaint and discipline process that is more efficient and transparent and less time-consuming. Over the past year, the ministry has consulted police leaders, police association representatives, police commission members, police officers and other stakeholders on how the process can be improved. For more information on how policing in Alberta currently operates, visit Law Enforcement in Alberta.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Eilish Lemieux
Communications
Solicitor General and Public Security
780-427-6171

How to Obtain a Certified Criminal Record Check

Steps to Follow:

• Full set of fingerprints required
• Reason for Application
• Personal Information
• Identification of police service or fingerprinting agency
• Processing fee
• Final step (checklist)

• To conduct a criminal record verification we require a full set of fingerprints, including both rolled and flat impressions of all ten fingers.
• Complete all fields on the fingerprint form.
• Incomplete forms will be returned to the applicant unprocessed.
• you must have your fingerprints taken on form C-216°C at your local police station or private accredited fingerprinting agency.
• Depending on the police jurisdiction, a fee may be required.

Paper-based fingerprint submissions:

Paper-based fingerprint submissions require a great deal of manual processing and it is not uncommon for a criminal record verification to take an average of 120 days to complete for individuals who don’t have a criminal record and have never been fingerprinted for a criminal offence in Canada. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, the turnaround time could exceed 120 days.

Electronic fingerprint submissions:

In an effort to process criminal verification requests more quickly, the RCMP is implementing the Real Time Identification (RTID) Project to modernize these processes and promote electronic fingerprint submissions. The goal of CCRTIS is to respond to 85% of civil requests (those that do not hit a criminal file) submitted electronically within 72 hours. If a criminal record is encountered during the verification process, the turnaround time could exceed 120 days. You may enquire at your local police service about electronic fingerprinting. If they do not perform this service, they may be able to refer you to approved private firms. These firms can also be located in local yellow pages and internet searches using the term 'fingerprinting services Canada.’

Before you make inquiries about your request, make sure you’ve taken into account not only the time it takes to process your request but also the time it takes to mail it to you.

Reason for Request

Clearly indicate the reason for your certified criminal record verification:

• Adoptions - Canadian and International
• Foreign travel - Visas, U.S. Waivers, Border Crossing
• Employment * - federal, provincial, municipal governments; private industry; Canadian police forces
• Volunteer work *
• Applications for immigration to Canada **
• Applications for Canadian Citizenship
• Applications to obtain criminal record to apply for a Pardon
• Name change
• Permanent residency in foreign countries (all countries except Canada)

* Applicants for employment or volunteer work must specify the job title or position sought in the "REASON FOR APPLICATION" portion of the fingerprint form.

** Applicants for immigration to Canada must enter the name and address of the Canadian Immigration Center, Embassy, Consulate or High Commission handling the case in the "Name and Address of Contributing Agency/Dept" portion of the C216°C. If you have an immigration file number, write it below the address as a reference for immigration officials.

Personal Information

Ensure you provide:

• your full name
• date of birth
• sex
• mailing address
• phone number
• and/or fax number
• and/or e-mail address
• Do not provide any additional personal information with your request. This material provides no value to the service and will be destroyed.

Identification of police service or fingerprinting agency Verify the information recorded by the official taking your fingerprints and ensure that the official's name and signature, and the name of the agency is indicated on your fingerprint form.

Final step (checklist) :

Before sending your request, make sure it contains the following:

• original fingerprint form
• full name
• date of birth
• sex
• mailing address
• phone number, fax number or email address
• reason for application
• processing fee ( if applicable)
• third party consent letter (if applicable)
• Incomplete requests will not be processed and will be returned to you.

Courtesy of the RCMP official website

We know that some things just don’t go smoothly. The poster contest is a good example; last year (2009) a couple of the first place students did not get their cheques or plaques. An effort was made this year to correct that. The picture shows Terry Krause from South Eastern Alberta RCWA presenting the plaque to then grade 9 student Timeka Davey. (Teacher name unknown).

The following wildlife infraction, which otherwise would have gone undetected and unresolved, was reported to the Fish and Wildlife Division of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development by a local Rural Crime Watch (RCW) member, from the Redwater RCW.

On November 20, 2008, Fish and Wildlife officers from the Smoky Lake District received a Report a Poacher complaint regarding a deer shot on private land. A male subject admitted to the RCW member that he shot the deer from the road, did not know whose land he was hunting on and did not have permission to enter onto the property.

The subject asked the RCW member not to call Fish and Wildlife, but when he was advised that the enforcement authorities were going to be notified, the subject took off in his vehicle at a high rate of speed. The complainant then called the Report a Poacher line and provided details about the incident, including the licence plate number of the subject’s vehicle.

Fish and Wildlife officers attended the location where the deer had been killed.

Based on information provided by the RCW member, officers located a spent .300 cartridge in the middle of the road and found deer blood and hair in the field where the subjects had been observed standing. Tire tracks were also noted where a vehicle had driven to where the deer had been shot and loaded. A motor vehicle records check for the licence plate number provided the subject’s name and an address in Edmonton. Fish and Wildlife officers with the Edmonton District were contacted and they attended the residence. Two untagged white-tailed deer were seized from the subject’s garage, and the subject turned over the firearm used in the offence. Also seized were the subject’s general white-tailed deer and supplemental antlerless white-tailed deer tags, which should have been used to tag the deer carcasses. Later, the Smoky Lake Fish and Wildlife officers located a second kill site in the same field. It was determined the bullets at this kill site would have had to pass within 183 metres (200 yards) of the landowner’s residence. The landowner advised the officers that he would be willing to testify that he occupies the land, lives at the residence and did not give permission for the subjects hunt on the property.

On January 8, 2010 in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court, the subject pled guilty to two counts under the Wildlife Act for hunting on occupied land without permission and failing to immediately tag the deer. He was fined $2,500 and suspended from holding a recreational hunting licence for two years. This incident serves as an excellent example of how Rural Crime Watch members play an important role in their communities. By reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities, in this case Fish and Wildlife, a serious resource and safety violation was investigated and successfully prosecuted.

If you are aware of a fish or wildlife resource-related violation, we encourage you to report the violation to the nearest Fish and Wildlife district office or the 24-hour Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800. Callers to the RAP line can remain anonymous. If the information you provide results in the laying of a charge, you may be eligible for a Reward.

Submitted by Dave Ferrier

17th Annual Outdoor Women’s Program August 11 - 15, 2010

The event is held at the Alford Lake Conservation Education Centre for Excellence. The first session was held in 1993 and has grown in popularity ever since. Women participate at their own speed and level of interest. They are welcome to try their hand at everything from fly fishing, shooting, backing up a trailer, trapping to overnight survival sessions. Classes run about 3 hours and cover a host of topics, as listed below.

Patient and knowledgeable instructors encourage each woman towards her own level of confidence and competence with each new skill.

Not sure if this weekend is for you? Ask yourself these questions:

• Is there an outdoor activity that you have never tried, like shooting a shotgun that you would like to learn in a safe and controlled environment?
• Are you a beginner who is looking to improve her outdoor skills?
• Are you already active in the outdoors but you would like to add to your skills?
• Are you seeking the camaraderie of other like-minded individuals?
• Are you seeking a brand new adventure totally apart from your day-to-day life?

If you answered, "Yes," to any of these questions, then please join us for an unforgettable weekend of adventure. Our highly qualified instructors are looking forward to meeting you. We take pride in initiating new people into the enjoyment of the great outdoors.

Bring your own camping gear or share a cabin with other ladies, or stay in your own trailer or RV. Modern showers and bathrooms are available and meals are included. There is a wide range of program sessions to choose from and participants may attend for two, three or five days.

Evening/Morning Sessions:

• Alford Lake Olympics
• Arrow Crafting
• Backpacking 101
• Fishing Tools Necklace Building Session
• Fly Tying
• Game Calling 101
• Knife and Axe Sharpening
• Seeing Things Clearly With Your Optics
• Learn To Score
• Reading a Compass & Taking a Bearing
• Rope Making
• Campfire Evenings
• Catch A Falling Star
• Nature Power Walk

Early Bird Registration Costs:

Wednesday - Friday $150.00 + GST
Thursday & Friday OR Saturday & Sunday $140.00 + GST
Wednesday -Sunday $250.00 + GST

Registration includes accommodations, food and all materials and equipment, as well as a FREE T-shirt! Register soon as space fills up quickly.

To register simply contact, the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association 1-780-466-6682 or 1-866-282-4342 or e-mail edmontoninfo@aheia.com Deadline for early bird registration is June 30, 2010. For a complete registration package, you may also visit the AHEIA web-site at www.aheia.com or www.huntingfortomorrow.com

For more information contact:

Kelly Semple
Outdoor Women’s Program
Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association
# 88, 4003- 98th Street,
Edmonton, Alberta.
T6E 6M8
780-466-6682 or 1-866-282-4342
ksemple@huntingfortomorrow.com
www.aheia.com

Submitted by Kelly Semple

Porter’s Pig Spleen Weather Forecast

Thanks go out to the farmer’s and local business people who supplied me with some pig spleens from outdoor pigs from various areas which allowed me to do up another weather forecast. In my monthly forecasts I will try and define what each area might expect. I know everybody is hoping for precipitation and I hope we can all get some in April & May.

The Fawcett/Flatbush area should be getting more rain than the rest of the other areas shown especially during the summer period.

April 2010:
Generally temperatures will be above average for month. The Fort Assiniboine, camp creek & Vega areas should start off warm but expect rain showers especially during the first week with possibility of some wet snow. Expect cooler temperatures with rain turning to wet snow around the 21st. Warmest temperatures expected around the 7th and mid month.

Area SE of Barrhead: Minor shower activity in first half. Rain showers and wet snow possible around the 21st, showers following this & cooler at month end. Warmest weather expected around the 7th, mid month & just before month end.

Fawcett/Flatbush area: Variable temperatures with showers throughout the month. Cooler temperatures & wet snow expected around the 21st & month end. Hottest temperatures expected around the 7th, mid month & before month end.

May 2010:
Fort Assiniboine area: Starts off warm with showers during first week, turning cooler & wet at month end. Do not see any real hot periods during month. Camp Creek area: Warm first half. Cool & wet mid month & at end of month.

Vega area: Warm first part. Showers throughout month especially between the 8th & 22nd.

SE of Barrhead: Warm at start of month & around the 22nd. Showers possible mid month & just before month end when wet snow could occur before turning warmer at month end. Fawcett/Flatbush area: Warm at first part, variable temperatures & showers throughout month especially 2nd to 23rd period. Warmer at month end.

June 2010:
Fort Assiniboine area: Warmer at end of first week. Cooler & wet 7th to mid month. Sorry ran out of spleen before month end.

Camp Creek area: Cooler & wet mid month and before end of month. End of month is warmest part of month. Sorry no more spleen for this area either.

SE of Barrhead: Temperatures start off warm, cooler mid month and around month end. Don’t expect much precipitation except some around mid month & month end.

Fawcett/Flatbush area: Starts off warm, turning cooler & wet mid month with wet snow possible. Warmer & variable temperatures with showers mid month to 22nd turning warmer near month end.

July 2010:
SE of Barrhead area: Warm temperatures throughout the month with little indication of precipitation.

Fawcett/Flatbush area: Variable temperatures will bring some hot periods around 7th, mid month & about 1 week before month end. Frost could occur near month end. Expect showers on a number of days throughout the month. Precipitation with storm activity could occur after each heat wave breaks down including month end or into the first part of August.

August 2010:
SE of Barrhead area: Expect similar temperature trends as predicted for the Fawcett/Flatbush area but with less precipitation.

Fawcett/Flatbush area: Month starts off cool & wet. Expect short hot spells first part & again mid month before turning to normal temperatures by month end. Showers expected periodically in first half with storms occurring after each hot period breaks down.

That’s all folks, ran out of pig spleens again. Hunters please note I can also use bear spleens.

Submitted by Ken Porter

Sadly, this doesn’t translate well to the newsletter, but here we have another picture with 2 of our Rural Crime Watch Associations – Golden Spike and East Parkland County members Harry Schoepp and Henry Hawinkles at Graminia School, making a presentation to one of the winning students in the 2010 Poster Contest.

Any pictures you have of presentations, or community involvement, please forward them to the office – if I can use them in the newsletter, I will. Any way we can acknowledge the children or our communities, let’s take that opportunity.

Bonnie

Summer Dates to be Aware of:

Contact the APRCWA Office

Editor’s note. Articles are always solicited for upcoming editions of The Bulletin, and to date we have been very fortunate to receive information from a variety of sources. Please note that articles in The Bulletin express the opinion of the contributor/writer, and are not the opinion of the Provincial Board. The Board does not condone or promote vigilantism or the taking of the law into the hands of common citizens. Please take the information you glean from articles in this newsletter with a grain of salt, and consider the current climate that the article may have been written in.

Disclaimer: Editorial opinions, reports and articles published herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association.

Deadlines for Submission to the Bulletin: March 15, June 15, September 15 and November 15 Thank you to the United Farmer’s Association for their support of APRCWA - they print and help distribute this newsletter. We couldn’t do it without you!

Disclaimer: Editorial opinions, reports and articles published herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association.