The Bulletin

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President’s Message

Once again we begin a new year with many familiar faces and a few new ones on the Board. We will operate in the direction that you have advised us. The Board is here for the benefit of the membership so if at any time you have concerns or questions on anything to do with “how to” or “what should” … please call and we well address the situation as it arises. Thanks to suggestions from members at large we are looking into additional ways in which we can fund the continually growing projects that the Board and membership are working on to make all our communities, and this province in general a safe and productive place for us all.

After the exhillerating AGM in Sherwood Park, it is hoped that all the participants can take that energy back to their areas and extend it towards crime prevention there. Enjoy the new year and we look forward to seeing everybody next year in Grande Prairie.

The Annual General Meeting

Several rural communities south of Calgary are fighting back against crime.

Colville says thieves have been taking advantage of the isolation south of the city and breaking into rural homes during the day. The rise in break and enters has prompted the communities of Priddis, Millarville, and Turner Valley to revived their crime watch programs. In some communities, the resurgence of the traditional safety measure simply means residents are keeping an eye open for suspicious activity and reporting it immediately to police.

In other communities, volunteers may be more active and conduct their own nightly community patrols.

The RCMP says they appreciate any help they can get. "Essentially, this is the bread and butter of the RCMP. The public is our eyes and ears," says Cst. Brandon Hrdlicka from the Turner Valley RCMP.

Police say crime watch is critical in rural areas where homes can be a block apart and surrounded by trees and other obstructions. The new resurgence in rural crime watch programs seems to be paying off. Earlier this year, RCMP laid charges in relation to several break and enters in the area after receiving a tip from the public.

CTV Calgary Wed. Mar.17, 2010

Farmers told how to foil rural crime

A sheriff's detective urges farmers to get creative when it comes to foiling metal thieves. Spray-painting brass pipe fittings in unusual colors can help deputies track them down if they are stolen, rural crime detective Jeff Dirkse said in a talk last week. "Pick lime green, blaze orange, fuchsia, something like that," he said. "Put a mark on it."

What to Watch for

Law enforcement agencies offer these tips for rural residents to avoid being crime victims:

Watch for people who appear to be casing an area. The signs include slow-moving vehicles, lighting in unusual places and the presence of loading devices on vehicles. Report crimes in progress or activities that appear to be developing into crimes. Try to give detailed descriptions of people and vehicles. Make sure mailboxes, gates, pesticides and other property are secure.

Engrave identification numbers on equipment. When away for several days, make sure mail and newspapers do not accumulate. Ask neighbors to watch the property. Install security cameras, if practical. Shred papers that show your Social Security number or other information that can be used in identity theft.

Dirkse and other rural crime fighters spoke at the annual meeting of Western United Dairymen, held at Modesto Centre Plaza. Theft and other crimes have plagued all kinds of farms, in part because their remote location can make them easy targets. Crooks have taken walnuts and almonds by the truckload. They have swiped tractors and rustled cattle. They have vandalized fences and dumped toxic waste from methamphetamine labs. Authorities say many of these people are drug users who steal metal and recycle it for money to support their habits.

"They are very industrious," Dirkse said. "If they worked at a real job as hard as they work at this, they would be very successful." Metal theft had dropped with the decline in global metal prices, but it rose again in recent months as China's fast-growing economy increased demand for the material, he said. Rob Wyeth, a dairy farmer west of Modesto, has seen his share of crime. "We get them stealing gas," he said.

"They stole some water pumps. When the price of metal was high, they were stealing copper wire." Dirkse urged farmers to guard against identity thieves. They try to get Social Security numbers and other personal information from mailboxes, trash bins or other places, then use the information to make purchases in the victim's name. They also can drain bank accounts. Stanislaus County has been fighting back.

It requires recycling companies to get names and other information from people selling metal. Sheriff's volunteers help residents engrave

numbers onto property so it can be identified if found. Dirkse said video cameras can be especially useful at catching offenders. He said rural residents should report all suspicious activity even though their far-flung locations could mean a long response time. Deputy District Attorney Jeff Laugero, who prosecutes rural crimes, said bits of information could build into cases that put people behind bars, including repeat offenders facing long sentences. "We are asking for your help to start the ball rolling," he said. "Even if you don't think it's a big thing at the time, it could turn out to be."

Will I live to see 80?

Crime watch associations gather Strathcona County recently hosted an annual crime watch association meeting; received a crime watch initiative award

An estimated 80 delegates from crime watch associations across the province and a handful of politicians turned out for the meeting, which consisted of speakers from the Metro Edmonton Integrated Gang Unit and provincial RCMP.

The Strathcona County Crime Watch Association was also recognized for its rural crime prevention efforts, receiving the Alberta Farmers' Advocate Award for Excellence in Rural Crime Watch Initiatives.

A $1,000 cheque that came with the award will be used to fund the association's Wise Owl program, which provides information to seniors about identify theft and fraud, said John Fuga, president of the local crime watch association.

In total, there are 1,544 families who are members of the Strathcona County Crime Watch Association, Fuga said. He also noted the local association started the volunteer-oriented Citizens on Patrol effort, which assists RCMP in spotting criminal activity, that has been picked up by other municipalities across the province. Strathcona County Crime Watch Association also employs a fan-out system that can alert people in certain areas of the county about a crime, or provide suspect information, said Const. Wally Henry, media liaison for the local RCMP.

"Strathcona County Rural Crime Watch can reach a lot of people in the county within a short period of time," he said. During the conference, Const. Bryce Clark with the Metro Edmonton Integrated Gang Unit spoke to those in attendance about gangs and how to recognize them. Resolutions were also passed at the meeting encouraging further co-operation with law enforcement agencies province-wide.

Other considered resolutions involved pushing the province to require strobe lights on school buses to be functioning at all times and encouraging the rights of crime watch members to confine or hold alleged criminals at gun point until a law enforcement officer arrives were tabled for further discussion, Fuga said.

Michael de Massa

Rural Crime Watch:

From the NPCS Eagle Express

Keep this philosophy in mind the next time you hear, or are out to repeat rumor.

In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom. One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance, who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students...?"

"Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me, I'd like you to pass a little test. It's called the Test of Three."

"Test of Three?"

"That's correct," Socrates continued.

"Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to test what you're going to say. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"

"No," the man replied, "actually I just heard about it."

"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"

"No, on the contrary..."

"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him even though you're not certain it's true?"

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed. Socrates continued, "You may still pass though because there is a third test - the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"

"No, not really..."

"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?"

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more.

This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

It also explains why Socrates never found out that Plato was sleeping with his wife.

February 10, 2010
Premier fulfills commitment to add 300 police officers

Edmonton... Premier Stelmach has made good on his promise to increase police ranks in Alberta by adding 300 officers over three years as he announced the distribution of the final 100 frontline police.

“Albertans want to see police officers in their communities. Adding 300 police puts officers on the street where they can make a difference and reduce crime,” said Premier Stelmach. “Fulfilling this commitment is another way this government is supporting safe and secure communities”. In order to qualify for additional police positions, police agencies had to demonstrate where and how the new officers will be used and that all its frontline police positions were filled.

“These new frontline police officers will further strengthen Alberta’s law enforcement network,” said Frank Oberle, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. “Police agencies and Albertans told us they wanted more police in their communities. We are delivering those resources and making it harder for criminals to operate in this province.”

A total of $30 million over three years is being provided by the Safe Communities Secretariat to fund these positions.

The Government of Alberta has a clear plan for a strong economic recovery. The Way Forward will bring Alberta back into a surplus position in three years by trimming government spending; using cash reserves to protect key programs; continuing to invest in public infrastructure; and ensuring that our province's industries are competitive and continue to attract investment to provide jobs and prosperity.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Jerry Bellikka Premier’s Communications Phone: 780-422-4905 Cell: 780- 237-5509

Michelle Davio Solicitor General and Public Security Communications Phone: 780-644-8527 Cell: 780-450-9507

February 8, 2010
Sheriffs join forces with RCMP to improve safety on Alberta's highways
New model integrates resources for traffic enforcement

“Our goal is to create the safest roads possible for Albertans and our sheriffs have been a valued component of our traffic safety efforts,” said Frank Oberle, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. “We tested four pilot projects last year and each had elements of success, and provided valuable information. We are using the best model for moving forward.”

“The RCMP is always looking for ways to improve our service to Albertans,” said RCMP Deputy Commissioner Rod Knecht. “We are confident that working more closely with the Alberta Sheriffs will help us reduce serious injuries and deaths on Alberta’s roadways.”

The new model is based on four pilot projects conducted on highways near Whitecourt, Airdrie, Wetaskiwin and Olds. The pilots took place over six months in 2009. The evaluation of the pilots showed the best way to improve safety on our highway is to integrate the Sheriffs Highway Patrol with RCMP. The integration process will be phased in and completed within two years. Media inquiries may be directed to:

Eilish Lemieux Communications Solicitor General and Public Security *Phone: 780-427-6171 To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000.

Cpl. Wayne Oakes Media Relations Officer RCMP “K” Division Phone: 780-412-5260

Happy Spring!

Easter: Friday 2nd April – Monday 5th April

Victoria Day: Monday, May 24^th

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.