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Citizen-led crime prevention groups are known to help create safer and stronger communities in Alberta.
On top of that, the Alberta RCMP says that while policing is a critical part of public safety, law enforcement by itself is not able to address the complex challenges some communities may encounter.
Because of that, the Alberta RCMP is encouraging Albertans to join a local citizen-led crime prevention group.
Not only do these groups help to keep an eye on public safety, these citizen-led organizations also help foster community bonds, provide valuable insights, and build partnerships that support and enhance public safety.
According to Chief Superintendent Peter Tewfik, who is the Officer in Charge of Community Safety and Well-being, residents know their community better than anyone.
"These volunteer-led organizations are our partners. They act as an extra set of eyes and ears in their neighbourhoods and work closely with their local Alberta RCMP detachments. They assist local police by promoting crime prevention education, reporting suspicious or criminal activity, and they strengthen relationships between the police and the community," Chief Superintendent Peter Tewfik said in a recent media release.
Several different organizations are operating across the province to help fulfill numerous community roles.
One of those organizations is the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA), which helps connect rural and urban communities, law enforcement, and agencies to promote crime prevention education and awareness throughout the community.
A few other organizations include Crime Stoppers, Citizens on Patrol, and Alberta Rural Crime Watch.
Crime Stoppers allows people to report crime anonymously, while Citizens on Patrol trains community members to patrol local areas, make observations, and report suspicious and unlawful activities to law enforcement.
Alberta Rural Crime Watch, which has chapters in Okotoks, Willow Creek, and more, promotes education and awareness, reports suspicious activity, and helps with property security on farmsteads and acreages,
“Everything begins in our communities,” said the Executive Director of ACCPA, Jean Bota, in the media release. “When strong, engaged citizen-led groups work alongside law enforcement, we harness tremendous citizen power to create meaningful change.”
To learn more about any of those groups, and to see if there is a chapter near you, head over to their websites.