An upcoming workshop in Crossfield will focus on how farmers and rural landowners can better secure their property to deter theft, break-ins and other crime. Hosted by Rocky View County Agricultural Services, the annual Farm Security Workshop will be held at the Crossfield Community Hall, March 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening will feature presentations from members of the Cochrane Foothills Protective Association (CFPA), as well as a representative from a security company who will talk about the security systems and technology farmers can take advantage of. One of these presenters will be CFPA president Rosemary Lindsay, who said she will be addressing some of the different strategies rural property owners can employ. “Come on out and…take this opportunity to educate yourself on some things that you might be able to apply to your property to contribute to crime prevention,” she said. One example of a simple but under-utilized strategy for better property protection, according to Lindsay, is for rural property owners to view their home from a stranger’s perspective. “You get used to seeing your property and seeing everything in its place,” she said. “But look at it from the perspective of a stranger, and the opportunities if a person wanted to take a peek around.” Lindsay said remembering to take your keys with you after using tractors and other vehicles is another obvious crime deterrent. “It seems like a simple thing to do, but people often leave keys in quads and equipment,” she said. “They leave keys in vehicles that are inside the garages or outbuildings and things like that. “It’s a simple thing to take your keys out and lock up your equipment. It’s simple, but it’s something that can be a theft deterrent.” CFPA, which formed in 1969, is a rural crime watch group and registered charity that focuses on crime awareness and prevention. The association operates within the Cochrane RCMP detachment area, as well as the Airdrie RCMP detachment area west of Highway 2. “We provide fan-outs, information workshops and help communities network so they can be aware of trends that are happening in their area, and then, to be a strong community, which can also be a crime deterrent,” Lindsay said. According to CFPA’s website, the association’s philosophy is that rural crime is less likely to occur if residents are alert to the potential for crime and are willing to look out for each other, while working together with the local police force. “CFPA’s motto is that crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” Lindsay said. “We’re not going to [arrest] our way out of this – everybody has a part to play, and we encourage everyone to come out and see what they can pick from our brains to take back to make their properties more secure.” To register for the Farm Security Workshop, call 403-230-1401 or visit bit.ly/2Hls0wg
