Cochrane RCMP say June was a busy month for local policing, with more than 600 calls for service and a continued focus on preventing family violence, property crime, and impaired driving.
Insp. Dave Brunner, says officers responded to 609 calls in June, including five break-and-enters, three vehicle thefts, and 25 cases involving family violence.
“Three vehicle thefts might sound low, but it’s still too many, especially when people are making it easy by leaving vehicles accessible,” said Brunner. “We’re reminding everyone to lock up and remove valuables.”
Family violence remains one of the most concerning trends, with the June numbers described as “typical” for the community. Brunner says the impact of domestic incidents often goes far beyond the individuals directly involved.
“You may be dealing with two people in the moment, but the collateral damage can affect five or six others, children, relatives, who are left with long-term trauma,” he said.
In response, Cochrane RCMP have partnered with the University of Calgary and Big Hill Haven on a data-driven project to better understand and address family violence. A community meeting is planned for October to share the findings and discuss next steps.
“Police can’t solve this alone,” Brunner said. “We can’t arrest our way out of this. It’s a social issue, and we need to foster a cultural shift that involves the whole community.”
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June also saw two roadside suspensions for impaired driving, and while Brunner says that number is lower than average, it's a reminder that enforcement is ongoing.
As summer continues, he’s urging residents to secure their homes when away, noting that break-and-enters are often crimes of opportunity.
“People will pose as salesmen during the day to scope things out, if no one answers, they might come back at night. Don’t make it easy for them,” Brunner warned.
Despite the concerns, Brunner says crime involving youth has been relatively quiet, thanks in part to successful interventions earlier in the season involving graffiti and vandalism.