Hanna Crime Watch, RCMP introduce app

A screenshot of the Hanna Rural Crime watch application pilot project. It officially launched on June 27. ECA Review/Submitted

Hanna and area can now rest at ease thanks to a new application designed to create a safer community through easy to use technology. The Hanna Rural Crime Watch (RCW) and Hanna District RCMP introduced the app during their Wed. June 27 meeting. As many as 35 people signed up to be apart of the group in just one night.

The premise is to keep locals safe by having rural crime watch members communicate effortlessly with one another about current suspicious activity. This pertains to the Special Areas and Hanna area which are divided into five proportionate districts.

“I think this is a good thing,” said Candice Preston, Secretary/ Treasurer of the Hanna RCW. Although the pilot project is not open to the public, anyone is encouraged to join the Hanna Rural Crime Watch to aid in the support of a safer community.

Membership is a cool $5 per year which gives access to the anticipated app.

“It’s just to make everybody aware with what is happening in the community so if we see something like a strange vehicle driving down backroads, you can report it to your neighbours and they can be on the lookout for that vehicle also,” Preston explained.

Preston warns that although this a great tool to have in place, it should not act as a replacement for police.

“It’s not a replacement to report crime, it’s just for us to be aware of what is happening within the area. We still have to phone the RCMP to report the crime. We do the 911 thing,” said Preston. The RCMP and a developer banded together to create the app before allowing the RCW to administer it. The app is available for both Android and Apple products.

This new pilot project will enter into a trial period to work out any errors that may occur. Once that has been completed, the RCW has the option to extend access to other RCW and RCMP Detachments.

“Hopefully it will solve some of the issues we have as far as crime in the rural areas is concerned,” said Preston. “It’s not going to solve it but for us to be more aware of it and for us to hopefully catch the perpetrators.”

 

Terri Huxley

ECA Review

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