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Okotoks crime up slightly over 2020

Okotoks RCMP Staff Sgt. Zane Semaniuk said numbers rose by about six per cent in the second quarter over the same period in 2020.
RCMP S Sgt Semeniuk 0026
Okotoks RCMP Staff Sgt. Zane Semaniuk said numbers rose by about six per cent in the second quarter over the same period in 2020. (Brent Calver/Western Wheel)

Okotoks crime rates saw a slight increase in the second quarter of 2021. 

Staff Sgt. Zane Semaniuk said there was a six per cent increase in calls for service, a total of 15 calls more than the same period in 2020.

That included an eight per cent increase in persons crimes and a five per cent increase in property crimes.

“Property crime calls for service increased by seven, from 130 to 137,” said Semaniuk.

Traffic offences remained at the same level as 2020 despite the provincial stats for the same category rising by 13 per cent, which he said was expected due to an increased focus province-wide on traffic enforcement.

He said the number of responses under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Canada’s federal drug control statute, was low.

“That remains excellent for our community,” said Semaniuk.

Okotoks RCMP executed a search warrant in May that saw the seizure of fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, which he said contributed to the larger drug busts in Aldersyde over the summer, he said.

The execution of 13 search warrants by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT), a joint operation by the coalition of various police agencies, took down a fentanyl superlab near Aldersyde in July and seized $300 million worth of narcotics and chemicals as well as 18 handguns, one rifle, $25,000 in cash and jewellery, six vehicles, four motorcycles, three trailers and a boat.

“We did contribute to moving that investigation forward,” said Semaniuk.

There are 25 officers in the Okotoks detachment, operating on a three-watch shift pattern and working to enhance community visibility, he said.

The move from four to three watches was made after Foothills RCMP began operating out of Turner Valley in early 2021, removing six positions from the rural side that had been incorporated with the Okotoks team, he said.

“In order to have a more workable shift pattern and schedule for our members with the numbers we have, we opted to go to a three-watch system,” said Semaniuk.

As for visibility, he said officers are mindful of being on the streets and try to be present at community events with advance notice.

Though some people have inquired as to having officers patrol on bicycles, he said that has been more difficult to implement.

“We have to have members trained on bikes, which we don’t have a whole ton, and with the lack of training environments that’s been a tough thing to get going,” said Semaniuk. “We do try to get our members out on foot as best we can.”

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