In the news industry, there is a tendency to follow the “if it bleeds, it leads” mentality, so it was refreshing to have a good news story come out of RCMP this week. The partnership between RCMP in Airdrie and Rocky View County (RVC) to form the Airdrie/RVC Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) appears to be working. A recent review indicated property crime in Airdrie and the surrounding area has decreased by 11 per cent since implementation of the CRU. That is great news – especially for our rural community, which has been voicing its concerns about a perceived increase in crime in the area. This unit is a wonderful example of municipalities working together instead of against one another. Though Airdrie was a part of the Urban Municipalities Task Force – a since-disbanded committee established in 2015 to attempt to limit County development – the City did not participate in the committee’s practice of appealing all adjacent developments proposed by RVC. It also worked with the County to get the ball rolling on an Eco Park at the Airdrie Rodeo grounds, land which is within the County’s jurisdiction. This most recent example of working together highlights the flux of residents and resources moving within the two municipalities. While other neighbours seek to control RVC, it seems Airdrie recognizes the needs of its residents outweighs a desire to keep the County in check.
