Photo: Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association

By Shaun Penner

Alberta Rural Crime Watch

Alberta’s Crime Watch members set to visit Swan City for annual symposium

Feb 7, 2020 | 1:59 PM

Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association members are set to close in on the Swan City this month, as they meet up for their annual symposium on February 21 and 22, hosted by the Grande Prairie District Rural Crime Watch Association.

It’s the first time in more than a decade the local chapter has hosted the annual provincial meeting, where the focus is set on the sharing and collaboration of crime prevention tips and tricks from across Alberta.

GPRCWA President Ed Pierce says so far, 130 provincial members are slated to make the trip up to Grande Prairie for the symposium.

“Which is the same as they had in Nisku last year,” said Pierce. “For us in Grande Prairie to be hosting a symposium of the same size as they do in central Alberta, it was never heard of before.”

“That gives you an idea of how important the work is and how interested people are in the criminal activity that’s going around.”

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Provincially, the Rural Crime Watch Association has been in operation since 1978, with the local chapter officially becoming registered in 1984.

The purpose of local Crime Watch organizations is to be the volunteer eyes and ears for law enforcement in rural areas. The main idea for creating such organizations is that crime is least likely to happen where people are observant and alert and can quickly share information with neighbours and law enforcement.

Pierce says the local chapter has grown to just over 700 members, which covers much of the County of Grande Prairie, Saddle Hills County, and Birch Hills County.

The symposium is exclusive to association members. However, Pierce says he is hoping that hosting such an event can raise awareness and drum up more interest among local residents to want to become members

“(If) anybody is interested in contacting us on becoming a member, it’s cheap, $10 a year, just to help us with some phone costs,” said Pierce. “You can contact us at gpcrimewatch.ca, or give us a call at 780-831-4390.”

Pierce adds that anyone and everyone can play a part in helping prevent rural crime. The provincial association has recently created an app on its website to help people report crime quickly, wherever they are in Alberta.

“That will give you the nearest local RCMP (detachment) to report non-911 activity to if you see something suspicious when you’re driving down the road.”