www.huntingfortomorrow.com
October, 2008
Taken from the Headlines:
September 30, 2008
Tough new legislation targets properties used for illegal activities
Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act provides tool to improve safety
Edmonton... Albertans now have a new tool to combat illegal activities associated with gangs, drugs and prostitution in their neighbourhoods. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act, which comes into force October 1, creates a new sheriffs’ unit to investigate public complaints about properties used for illegal activities and, if necessary, close those properties for up to 90 days.
October 15, 2008
Province developing new radio system for
emergency responders
30,000 radios will connect emergency
responders in Alberta
Edmonton... The Alberta government is
developing a new province-wide networked
radio system that will connect more than 700
emergency responder and government agencies
during serious incidents or natural disasters.
October 22, 2008
Province to hire 110 new probation officers
over next three years
Move to help prevent offenders from re-
offending and re-victimizing Albertans
Edmonton... To provide more intensive
supervision of offenders in communities, the
Alberta government is hiring an additional 110
probation officers over the next three years.
October 28, 2008
New police units to target gangs and drugs
Four dedicated enforcement teams to be set
up across the province
Edmonton... To crack down on the drug trade
and the gangs who profit from it, Premier Ed
Stelmach announced the addition of 183 new
police resources that will hit the streets next
April.
November 6, 2008
New fund created to help communities target crime
$60 million fund marks next phase of Alberta’s Safe Communities initiative
Edmonton…On the one-year anniversary of Alberta’s Safe Communities initiative, the province has created a new $60 million fund to strengthen and develop community-based projects and community-police partnership projects – marking the next phase of the strategy.
Tax Alert
The Canada Revenue Agency warns Canadians of mail scam
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is warning taxpayers to beware of a recent scam where some Canadians are receiving a letter fraudulently identified as coming from the CRA and asking for personal information. The letter is not from the CRA. A PDF version of the letter is available on the CRA Web site at www.cra.gc.ca/alert.
The letter claims that there is “insufficient information” for the individual’s tax return and that in order to receive any “claims,” they will have to update their records. The letter attaches a form specifically requesting the individual’s personal information in writing, via fax or email, including information on bank accounts and passports. This letter is not from the CRA and Canadians should not provide their personal information to the sender.
All taxpayers should be vigilant when divulging any confidential information to third parties. The CRA has well established practices to protect the confidentiality of taxpayers’ information.
The CRA has notified the proper law enforcement authorities of this scam.
For information about this and other similar scams, or to report deceptive telemarketing activity, visit www.phonebusters.com, send an email to info@phonebusters.com, or call 1-888-495-8501.
Associations Report In
Just a quick update from Fairview - Clear Hills RCW. Both Phone Tree fan out systems at the M.D. of Fairview and Clear Hills County offices are sending out message on behalf of Fairview RCMP and it’s working well. We've had one success story so far where a message was fanned out and a local farmer called in and had witnessed the crime occurring. (theft of shed) Had he not received the fan out he would not have thought anything of it as it occurred in broad day light. We are still trying to get the Village of Hines creek on line but with staff turn overs it has been slow. Hopefully by spring. I've also been working with a Peace River member to try and get Grimshaw RCW up and going again.
That's all for now, have a Merry Christmas
Submitted by Sgt. Bruce Bracken
Rocky Mountain House R.C.W. Association conducted a successful fund-raising raffle this past spring and summer. We sold 1822 tickets out of a possible 1988 – realizing a net profit of $5,224.60. The prizes were all won by local residents:
1st prize – Cub Cadet Zero Turn Lawnmower - Don Unwin
2nd prize – Stihl Mini Tiller c/w wheel kit - Paul Maciejowski
3rd prize – Stihl Easy 2 Start Weed Trimmer - Joan Swart
Our appreciation goes to Gateway Sales & Service for supplying the prizes at a reasonable cost. Job well done by the ticket sellers! The funds have been set aside for a future project namely, possibly hosting the 2010 AGM for the A.P.R.C.W.A.
Our Association also provided volunteers for different functions this spring and summer including Rocky Rodeo, Canada Day celebrations, Demolition Derby, Leslieville Antique Days and the Rocky Victim Services Golf Tournament. These fundraising efforts proved profitable and also provided us opportunities to promote our Association. We gained a few new members as a result.
In October our Association purchased two surveillance cameras. The use of these is being made available to any members in good standing. Hopefully this will assist in monitoring problem areas and perhaps help the RCMP detachment at some point.
Stay safe everyone and see you folks at the AGM.
Submitted by M & B Hepburn
1st Article from British Columbia Rural Crime Watch Column November 19, 2008
Is she or isn’t she? How would I know? How would I find out? Is it worth the risk if I’m wrong?
These are questions British Columbia male assailants are asking themselves.
Is she armed?
In Miami, Florida recently, the police department sponsored a defensive handgun course for thousands of women. The Miami Herald covered the event for several days and the assault statistics dropped dramatically and stayed low for almost a year.
“Is she or isn’t she?” There was no answer. So the criminals with half a brain left women alone.
After about 12 months, the number of assaults began to rise. The paper ran the articles on the defensive handgun course again and the stats dropped immediately.
Do Canadian women carry concealed handguns? Of course they do. Illegally in most cases but the women RCW have spoken with philosophize that they would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
RCW isn’t condoning the illegal carrying of handguns by anyone. But it’s happening. And we’ll never know the number of assaults prevented by a woman brandishing a firearm at her would-be assailant and not reporting the incident.
The Canadian rural women who don’t carry a handgun? The majority have a firearm within reach.
One female ruralist told RCW recently that she was just heading out the door to feed her cattle when she noticed a man breaking into one of her storage sheds. She didn’t approach him but reached behind her kitchen door and retrieved a Winchester .30 .30. The low life criminal saw the rancher and immediately took off in his beater. 911 to her local detachment with a physical description of the thief and vehicle and within minutes the Mounties had him in custody. As a rancher this woman was not storing her firearm. It was in use and legal, provided she didn’t have the clip inserted when it was behind her door.
Many Canadian women, and men, have a Concealed Firearm Permit from the state of Utah, http://www.americanccw.com allowing them to carry a concealed handgun in 30 American states. This is the same permit for which Utah residents can qualify. They’ve been cleared by the police and trained to carry a concealed handgun allowing teachers, staff and parents to have them on their person on school grounds, state buildings and businesses.
Many prominent Canadian women are proponents of concealed carrying for women. Vancouver School Board Trustee Sharon Gregson wrote recently about her shooting interests and political desires for women’s personal safety. Ontario’s Cindy Lightheart writes regularly for the Canadian Firearms Journal on women’ right to carry.
Statistics Canada reports there are 130,000 B&E’s reported to police in Canada. Many of these are against ruralists, chosen because of their trust and isolation. Many are not reported, residents just absorb the financial loss, but never the sense of violation.
Thieves often do more than just steal your possessions. Rape, Robbery and Assault. Three times as many against elderly compared to other robberies.
“Rob you once. Rob you again. Why? Because I can. You undoubtedly haven’t made any effective changes to your home security. You live in a vacant world of false trust seen through your rose coloured glasses. I’ll wait until you’ve replace the stolen items with the insurance money and I’ll come again. Maybe this time during the day.” comments a known rural burglar.
British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association estimates their members lose thousands of dollars yearly from rustlers, bush butchers, damage to buildings and equipment and recreational vehicles damaging crops and fields and leaving gates open allowing animals to wander onto highways. Many thieves believe they can steal from ranchers with impunity. Wrong.
Ranchers are RCW members and as such are knowledgeable in crime prevention techniques; locking their outbuildings and machinery, helping their neighbours, watching out for each other and patrolling their range land with help from other ranchers.
Several ranchers told RCW of an incident where ATV riders were chasing wildlife. They were on the tail of a cow moose and her calf trying to run them down. Both animals were exhausted, barely able to move when the ranchers rode up within 100 metres of the jackass riders. Each rancher pulled their saddle guns and let off a barrage of shots into the air then took off after them on horseback. The riders were terrified and hopeful, noted one rancher, not too stupid to come back to their territory.
RCW is not advocating such action as a crime prevention tool but merely pointing out that rural residents are not the push over that crooks assume.
Go to www.ruralcrimewatch.com and Column and scroll down to learn about overcoming fear and intimidation. Also click on the Instructional DVD on the Home page and after viewing our DVD, check out the other crime prevention DVD’s available on the side bar.
Submitted by Jon McCormick
Porter’s Pig Spleen Weather Forecast:
Barrhead area for period of November 24, 2008 to March 31, 2009
Generally expect the winter temperatures to be above average day - time temperatures until Mid February 2009. Last part of winter to be below average probably resulting in a cold late spring. Snowfall generally will be below average with most of the snow occurring in 2009 especially in February 2009.
Last week of November should see above average day - time temperatures.
Minor snowfalls expected at month end or first part of December.
December 2008:
Expect warm weather to the 15th with some snow possible. Temperatures start turning colder after the 15th with coldest weather of December expected around Christmas time. (- 25 C degree range for low ). Weather warms after Christmas before turning colder at month end.
2009:
January to end of February can best be described as unsettled weather with variable temperatures daily resulting in possibilities of cloudy days, fog, freezing rain or snow flurries and wind.
January 2009:
No long cold weather periods identified. Weather generally above average for day - time. Weather turning colder by month end. Despite the many days of snow flurries expect total snowfall to be below average for the month.
February 2009:
Weather warming from first to mid month however temperatures still very variable.
Temperatures turn colder to month end with unsettled weather continuing. Expect the heaviest snowfall period of winter to occur between the 7th to month - end.
March 2009:
This could be the coldest month of the entire winter with below average temperatures expected. Temperatures continue to drop from 1st to the 10th. Weather warms to the 17th before turning colder to the 21st. Snowfall expected during this period. Weather warms again to month - end.
That’s all for now folks. Hope to give you a revised update in early 2009.
Cooking Wild: the Outdoorsman’s Ultimate Cookbook!
Cooking Wild is here, the best cookbook ever created for hunters, anglers, foragers and anyone else who eats wild fish, game and greens!
Written by noted outdoor gourmet Linda Gabris and published by the people who bring you Western Sportsman, BC Outdoors and The Outdoor Edge magazines, Cooking Wild features 180 recipes for Canada’s wild fish, game, birds and native plants — including recipes that can be made on the trail and in the kitchen.
And there’s more: Cooking Wild is jam-packed with tips for harvesting, cleaning, preparing, cooking and storing your bounty, as well as safety tips and general outdoors know-how. It truly is the outdoors-person’s ultimate companion.
“Linda Gabris has put together a compilation of recipes like I’ve never seen before. From exotic, gourmet fare that will impress friends and family right down to one-pan meals perfect for the spike camp, you’ll find it all in Cooking Wild,” says David Webb, editor of Cooking Wild. “It’s an international-calibre book published right here in Edmonton.”
Gabris has already been featured on the radio program “Let’s Go Outdoors With Michael Short,” and she’s sure to attract even more attention with the book now in print.
“The outdoors community has never seen anything like Cooking Wild — it’s going to blow everybody away!” adds Webb.
A limited amount of books will be printed. Cooking Wild is already half sold out! Order your copy of the 200-page book today for only $24.95 (plus $4 shipping and GST) by phoning 1.800.898.8811 or e-mailing: info@outdoorgroupmedia.com.
To contact the author or publisher, e-mail: dwebb@outdoorgroupmedia.com or phone 780.643.3963.
David Webb
Editor
Suite 202, 9644 54th Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T6E 5V1
Phone: 780.643.3963
Fax: 780.643.3960
dwebb@outdoorgroupmedia.com
http://www.westernsportsman.com
http://www.outdoorgroupmedia.com
Insurance Issues and Answers
All Associations are required by law to have Liability Insurance. It is a benefit of membership in the APRCWA. It covers “the other party” in the event of an accident. Below is a response to the breakdown of Volunteer Insurance and info on the other coverage that associations could opt for. (If anyone wants more of a breakdown of coverage, they can contact the office and get a detailed breakdown that was provided by Jubilee Insurance.)
Please be advised that the Volunteer Policy provides coverage for people from the community that randomly volunteer their time to the RCWA for a special project. These people will come to help out with a special project and will not be seen again until there is another special project that they might or might not want to volunteer for.
The Councilor/Trustee policy covers members from each RCWA should they get hurt while performing their duties that are required of them through the RCWA.
Both policies cover injury due to “Accident” only.
Submitted by Holly Neill, CRM
Meet Molly. She's a grey speckled pony who was abandoned by her owners when Hurricane Katrina hit southern Louisiana . She spent weeks on her own before finally being rescued and taken to a farm where abandoned animals were stockpiled. While there, she was attacked by a pit bull terrier and almost died. Her gnawed right front leg became infected, and her vet went to LSU for help, but LSU was overwhelmed, and this pony was a welfare case. You know how that goes.
But after surgeon Rustin Moore met Molly, he changed his mind. He saw how the pony was careful to lie down on different sides so she didn't seem to get sores, and how she allowed people to handle her. She protected her injured leg. She constantly shifted her weight and didn't overload her good leg. She was a smart pony with a serious survival ethic.
Moore agreed to remove her leg below the knee, and a temporary artificial limb was built. Molly walked out of the clinic and her story really begins there.
'This was the right horse and the right owner,' Moore insists. Molly happened to be a one-in-a-million patient. She's tough as nails, but sweet, and she was willing to cope with pain. She made it obvious she understood that she was in trouble. The other important factor, according to Moore, is having a truly committed and compliant owner who is dedicated to providing the daily care required over the lifetime of the horse.
Molly's story turns into a parable for life in
post-Katrina Louisiana . The little pony gained weight, and her mane finally felt a comb. A human prosthesis designer built her a leg.
The prosthetic has given Molly a whole new life, Allison Barca DVM, Molly's regular vet, reports.
And she asks for it. She will put her little limb out, and come to you and let you know that she wants you to put it on. Sometimes she wants you to take
it off too. And sometimes, Molly gets away from Barca. 'It can be pretty bad when you can't catch a three-legged horse,' she laughs.
Most important of all, Molly has a job now. Kay, the rescue farm owner, started taking Molly to shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers. Anywhere she thought that people needed hope. Wherever Molly went, she showed people her pluck. She inspired people, and she had a good time doing it.
'It's obvious to me that Molly had a bigger role to play in life.' Moore said. 'She survived the hurricane she survived a horrible injury, and now she is giving hope to others.' Barca concluded, 'She's not back to normal, but she's going to be better.
To me, she could be a symbol
for New Orleans itself.'
2nd Article from British Columbia Rural Crime Watch Column for November 5, 2008
Fear. Intimidation
“You’re going to get hurt! You’ll leave here in an ambulance! You’ll be in the hospital and in pain a very long time!”
That’s intimidation! Performed by a law enforcement officer trying to avoid violence during a bar check where the suspect is drunk, breaking furniture and fighting with anyone available. The member’s task was to remove the suspect peacefully if possible, or violently if necessary.
The member’s next words were, “Or, you can allow me to handcuff you and leave with me now peacefully. Your choice.”
She had honed her defensive tactic skills to intimidate the suspect.
The suspect wasn’t too drunk to choose wisely.
The suspect experienced Fear.
Fear! It can cripple you with greater force than any physical affliction.
RCW often hear of residents’ concerns of being harassed either in their home or elsewhere. Many citizens feel helpless, burying their heads and pretending it isn't happening and won't happen to them. Others decide there is no point in making the necessary changes. They sell their homes and move, then move again and again as they encounter other bullies who seek out their weakness. Others see the need for change and find it challenging, experience joy and excitement at retaking their environment.
Becoming proactive, organizing your friends and neighbours with Rural Crime Watch and learning ways to deal with the bullies is the only real solution that will provide you with the opportunity to have an enjoyable lifestyle, free from Fear.
Rural Crime Watch is expanding provincially and in some communities the bad guys are retaliating with intimidation. Since there is strength in numbers, the bullies may try to divide and conquer. They may seek each person out and intimidate separately. This is where the strength in RCW exists, having friends and neighbours who will stand by your side against the bullies. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was right when he said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”
How can bullies isolate law-abiding citizens to harass and intimidate them?
In one rural community Mounties are investigating reports of lone women drivers being followed as they returned home from separate meetings. One woman was just heading out of town when a pick-up truck pulled in behind her and followed her. After making four turns and still being tailed by the truck, she headed for an all night diner. The driver turned off when she pulled into the parking lot.
She had a physical description of the driver and the vehicle. She was not to be intimidated.
A second woman was rear-ended by a dark SUV as she waited for the one traffic light at about 5 am on her way to work. The woman stayed in her car and kept the doors locked and was calling 911 when the man approached from the rear. She kept the windows rolled up and told him she had called the police. This woman wasn’t going to be intimidated either. However, it may have been wiser to head for a populated location and deal with the rear-ending later.
Bullies quickly discover that they can’t isolate you in the market, gas station or elsewhere without other citizens coming to your aid. The bad guys also learn quickly that you and the community will not accept their harassment.
One ruralist, having been intimidated for years by several bullies, met one in the grocery store. She was minding her own business when he saw her and started his swagger down the aisle, bent on doing as he had always done, put Fear in her. But this woman wasn’t the same as she was the previous month when he did his bullying. She had become a RCW member, had been reading, exchanging emails and had built her self-confidence. She stood sideways in the aisle; hands at her side, head erect watching him approach. As he walked by she knew he felt her changed aura. She was no longer his to harass.
Bullies play on intimidation and fear and when neither works they have nothing left. In many rural communities the bad guys have packed up and moved on because residents ceased to fear them, are looking out for each other, reporting suspicious and criminal activity to the RCMP and generally making criminal life and intimidation unprofitable for the low life criminals.
Go to www.ruralcrimewatch.com and “Column” for more information on Overcoming Fear.
Submitted by Jon McCormick
You think English is easy??? Read to the end.... a new twist
- The bandage was wound around the wound.
- The farm was used to produce produce .
- The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.
- We must polish the Polish furniture.
- He could lead if he would get the lead out.
- The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.
- Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to
present the present .
- A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
- When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.
- I did not object to the object.
- The insurance was invalid for the invalid.
- There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row
- They were too close to the door to close it.
- The buck does funny things when the does are present.
- A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.
- To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.
- The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
- Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
- I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
- How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?
- Can you empty this can?
Yes, I guess you could call this the pet issue – most of us l have animals – some great, some not so great, but all have an impact on our lives one way or the other. With winter upon us, it’s important to take the time to ensure our pets are warm, fed, have water and a place to rest – as we do.
The K9 above is Brutus, a military K9 at McChord. He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did.
Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq .
His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant 'go away, but come back and find me'. The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're OK, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap.. Enjoys the company of cats.
K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner
Thought you'd find this interesting. Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!
Editorial note – there are some who say this is a hoax – I like the glass half full way of looking at life, so I choose to believe that this is so – and that it can happen….you can make up your own minds. (bhf)
A Pet's Ten Commandments..........
- My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
- Give me time to understand what you want of me.
- Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
- Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
- Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice, when speaking to me.
- Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
- Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
- Before you scold me for being lazy, or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or, my heart might be getting old, or weak.
- Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
- On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
Take a moment today to thank God for your pets.
Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience
without God's critters.
We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness....
It is here on earth and has four legs!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
For contact information please contact the APRCWA office at 310-0000 (780) 422-0922.
Deadlines for Submission to the Bulletin: March 15, June 15, September 15 and November 15
Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association Contact Information
Phone: (780) 422-0922
Fax: (780) 644-7474
Email: aprcwa@interbaun.com
Website:www.ruralcrimewatch.ab.ca
Thank you to UFA Co-operative Limited, our sponsor for providing the printing and envelopes for this publication.
Disclaimer: Editorial opinions, reports and articles published herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association.
