By Shane Clausing

crime prevention app

County of Grande Prairie launches crime prevention app pilot project

May 11, 2021 | 5:30 AM

As of May 10, 2021, the County of Grande Prairie in partnership with the Beaverlodge District Rural Crime Watch launched a crime prevention pilot project using the Lightcatch app.

The Lightcatch app allows residents in the County to report a crime using their cell phone or security systems.

When sending in a report to the app, you can send videos, photos and descriptions and show the location where the crime took place.

When the report is created, others who have the app downloaded can be notified immediately of a crime in progress in their area.

Leanne Van Wagner, the President of the Beaverlodge District Rural Crime Watch, says this app is really good for reporting crimes like stolen vehicles.

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“It (the app) is real-time. When you normally phone 911 or the RCMP, there’s no video, audio and there’s just the reporting. When people can see a visual of a red truck or a blue quad that means quite a bit, there’s identification in just having a picture sometimes.”

“When you can see it (the app) in action it’s amazing,” explained Van Wagner.

When a crime is reported, others who have the app downloaded can receive a notification about what is going on in their community.

CEO of the Lightcatch app Darren Boyer said in a release that communities have seen an increase in arrest success rate from 26 to 80 per cent. This means criminals are failing 80 per cent of the time and repeat offenders are more likely to quit, go to jail, or move on.

County Council will be updated quarterly on data and information to determine if the app is being effective in the County.

Van Wagner tells EverythingGP with the app now available for use in the County, all residents should take the opportunity to download it.

“This is the future of crime reduction and we have it right here in the County of Grande Prairie,” said Van Wagner.

“Download the app! It’s free, it’s easy and step up to the plate everybody and do your part with crime prevention. We all work together and it’s a proven fact that criminals like things easy, if we make it a little harder, they’ll get up and leave.”

The app can be downloaded on the Google Play Store or App Store.