Criminals Come to Our Homes
We all know that rural crime is a major problem in the province right now. In particular, it is getting worse in our area. The criminals are getting bolder, and increasingly they are arming themselves with firearms.
We have some homes that are being raided multiple times a day, highspeed chases involving firearms on the highways, and we just cannot get the police out there fast enough. When the criminals do get caught, they are often released in short order and are right back at it. I have talked to some of you who have had your home broken into. Like you, I call this area my home, and like you, I care for the welfare of my family and my community.
It is time to find real solutions and I want your ideas in a Town Hall meeting on September 8, 2020 at the Calahoo Community Hall.
Slow Response Time Is a Major Problem
One of the major problems we have is response time from the police. When we are able to get someone out there, the criminals are long gone. The criminals know this, which makes them bolder. We have two potential solutions to this that are being explored.
First, we are looking at the possibility of setting up a kind of voluntary police service, much like our rural volunteer fire fighters. The possibility exists for them to receive training and possibly equipment, and for them to work closely with the police. This does two main things: faster response times, and adds better local knowledge of the area to law enforcement efforts.
Secondly, we are looking at the possibility of using high tech drones to help verify criminal activity, and follow them so that we can track where they are going and have them intercepted. I want to be clear: these are not your cheap department store drones for kids spying on their neighbours. These are military style drones that would only be sent out to the site of the reported activity to investigate what is going on and follow the criminals for interception purposes and they would not be spying on you. Additionally, these drones have another perk: they contain the equipment to put first responders on a common radio frequency to become a hub for communication, improving efficiency and reducing the response time.
Town Hall Meeting: I Want Your Ideas
These are a couple of the ideas we have, and I know there are likely many other ideas out there; I’d like to hear them. This is why I am having a town hall on September 8, 2020 at the Calahoo Community Hall. Due to current circumstances, we can only accommodate 165 people in person. However, we are also doing this as a Facebook Live event. You can register with my office at LacSteAnne.Parkland@assembly.ab.ca to come in person, or otherwise,
I look forward to hearing from you in person, (follow link for directions to Calahoo Community Hall) or through the Facebook Live comment feed.
This is our community, and the safety of our families. It is time to ensure their security.
Best Regards,
Shane Getson, MLA
Lac Ste. Anne–Parkland
For further questions and updates please feel free to connect your MLA Mr. Shane Getson by calling:: 780.967.0760 (click2call) or email: LacSteAnne.Parkland@assembly.ab.ca
For more information follow these links:
MLA Shane Getson (UCP)
Shane Getson was elected as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lac Ste. Anne-Parkland on April 16, 2019.
Engagement
I currently serve as Deputy Chair on the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and as a Member of the Standing Committees on Resource Stewardship.
Check often my Engagement page to discover my Focus Projects for 2021, among which I want to introduce you to the importance of Utility Corridors. I have the firm belief that the usage of these corridors will contribute immensely to Alberta's future so, for more details please contact me at your convenience.