Richard Froese
South Peace News

Higher presence of police and strategic patrols to curb drugs and crime are top priorities for the interim staff sergeant of High Prairie RCMP.

“We will have officers assigned to a specific area and I think you’ll see more community involvement,” says Interim S/Sgt. John Respet, who gave a report to Big Lakes County council May 25.
“We are always strategizing and we’re in this with you.”

Plans include officers out on the roads and streets more.

“We want to increase visibility in the community and the hamlets,” adds Paul Thalhofer, Reservist Constable, and a retired staff sergeant.
“We want to have more community involvement.”

Several councillors expressed concern with the growing problem of illegal drugs.

“With the resources we do have, we prioritize areas where we can be most effective,” Thal- hofer says.
“We’re trying to do the best with the resources we have and target the dealers.”

He says that local RCMP based in High Prairie and Faust can also look to other police forces to assist in fighting crime.

“We can share resources with other detachments,” Thalhofer says.

Local RCMP also have good working relationships with Lake- shore Regional Police Service and other RCMP detachments in northern Alberta.

Two enhanced officers in drug enforcement have helped tackle the problem.

“It’s very effective,” Respet says. “When you look at the workload, it’s enormous.”

He says it’s very important to have officers focus on drugs.

Detachment priorities remain the same with reduction of crime and drugs and traffic safety.

“We encourage our officers to go out into the communities and focus on those issues of concern,” Respet says.

Officers at school visiting, traffic stops and patrolling community events where controlled substances may be present are also planned.