Airdrie RCMP provided Crossfield with 2016 first quarter crime statistics and an update on the effectiveness of enhanced policing shifts during the Town’s April 5 regular council meeting, which ultimately showed an overall decrease in crime.
Staff Sergeant Chad Fournier, who is currently also the acting detachment commander for the Airdrie RCMP Detachment, said from Jan. 1 to March 31 the total person crimes – where harm or injury is done to an individual – dropped 60 per cent while total property crime decreased by six per cent.
“The best thing about these stats is that there is nothing alarming,” Fournier said. “There’s no reason to hit the panic button… (and) send a whole bunch more guys all at once to clean up a certain area.”
Assaults dropped a significant 57 per cent from 14 in the first three months of last year to only six in 2016, he said.
Though break and enters increased by two incidents this year, other areas like theft under $5,000, mischief to property and criminal code violations also experienced a drop in 2016.
“I don’t think we’ll be out of a job, but its good to see some effect,” Fournier said.
Constable Alan Rivard of the Airdrie Rural RCMP Detachment explained the effectiveness of the enhanced policing program in Crossfield during the first three months of 2016.
With a total of 31 shifts and 248 hours worked, Rivard said 64 Traffic Safety Act and other Provincial Act violation tickets were issued, resulting in a potential of $18,346 in ticket revenue.
During that period, Rivard said two 24-hour driving suspensions for drug impairment were issued as well as a Controlled Drug and Substance Act charge laid for the possession of marijuana.
“(Enhanced policing) continues to be a good program with a good effect in the community,” he said.
Crossfield Safe Roads, which is traffic-enforcement focused, totaled 10 of the 31 enhanced policing shifts while the Crossfield Safe Nights – which is focused on nighttime public safety from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. – totaled 21 shifts.
Crossfield Mayor Nathan Anderson said he was pleased to see more Safe Night shifts as the police spend time getting to know the community and not just focusing on traffic enforcement.
Councillor Hadi Feltham said he has heard many patrons of the Jack and Throttle are appreciative of the police presence during these shifts as less people are getting into their vehicles after the bar closes and risking the short drive home.
“That’s huge for our community,” he said.
