Strathmore RCMP say no incident is too small to report

Strathmore RCMP are reminding residents about the importance of reporting all suspicious and criminal activity, no matter how minor it may seem.

"Timely and accurate reporting helps police better understand what’s happening in the community and supports both short-term investigations and long-term crime prevention strategies," wrote Strathmore RCMP.   

Police gave several reasons why every report matters, such as:

• What may seem like a minor or isolated incident could be part of a larger pattern of criminal activity and could help in identifying trends.
• Descriptions, times, locations, and stolen items can help connect incidents and identify suspects, as well as build suspect profiles.
• Increases in reported incidents may lead to additional patrols or the deployment of specialized teams and support units.
• Criminal activity often moves between communities, so reports from one area can often help solve crimes in another.
• Police analysts use reported data to track crime trends and support investigative planning.
• Reported property can be linked to suspects and recovered during arrests, often leading to multiple charges and the return of items to the property owner.
• Report trends may support the introduction of targeted initiatives like bait vehicles, targeted patrols, or public education campaigns.
• Increased reporting can influence long-term staffing needs and resource allocation in the community.
• Investigations may take time to develop, and reporting helps officers follow up as new information becomes available.

There are several ways to report a crime, such as calling your local detachment or 911 in the case of an emergency. You can also report crimes online through the Alberta RCMP app.