The province is adding 39 new RCMP officer and 40 civilian positions to help fight the rise in rural crime but Alix mayor says more needs to be done.
Earlier this month the Government of Alberta announced it is investing $8 million to help Alberta RCMP put more people on the streets and in communities to deal with rural crime.
“It’s a good first step, but based on the number of rural communities in Alberta and the type of criminal activities that are occurring, there is going to be more needed,” said Alix Mayor Rob Fehr in reaction to the announcement.
“Having more judges and crown prosecutors is another area that desperately needs help.”
Mayor Fehr said he would like to see Ottawa step up.
“This is not only an Alberta problem but a national one too. I believe our hard working and law abiding citizens deserve to feel heard and have their concerns raised in a timely manner.
“The time to address this continued increase in crime is now, not next week, not next month or next year.”
Last November Mayor Fehr spoke with MLA’s at the Legislature in Edmonton about his concerns over rising crime in Alix.
In a one-month span last fall the Alix hotel was robbed twice, an employee at a gas station was injured during a robbery, RCMP fatally shot a suspected thief in a rural area south of Alix and a man was attacked with a machete during a home invasion.
Federal Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs has made a Private Member’s Motion asking the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security to undertake a study into rural crime in Canada and recommend crime reduction initiatives.
County of Stettler council, during its regular meeting March 14, voted in favour of endorsing MP Stub’s proposal.
In addition, the County of Stettler wants to know if any of the new provincial positions announced will be in Stettler, or neighbouring Bashaw, RCMP Detachments.
Council passed a motion to send a letter to RCMP K Division in Edmonton asking if the Stettler RCMP detachment will get any additional members announced.
County of Stettler Coun. James Nibourg said the county should also contact Kathleen Ganley, Alberta Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, to make sure Stettler is getting one or more of the new RCMP officer positions.
Lisa Joy
ECA Review
