What's New(s)? Please check back often to stay up-to-date with our current Newsletter and what's happening to support crime awareness in the Cochrane, Foothills, West Airdrie areas of south-central Alberta.
News Highlights
FREE MEMBERSHIPS FOR 2022 - Cochrane Foothills Protection Association (CFPA) is pleased to provide FREE memberships for 2022. We are keen to expand our membership to increase awareness and protection of our community. So, if you or someone you know has been looking for ways to increase your safety, security, awareness and knowledge, meet some like-minded, great folks, or just get involved, please join up by completing and submitting the 2022 membership application form.
To maximize your value in joining CFPA, we are also asking members for your input. Please click here to go to a short survey (2 minutes). Now is your chance to help drive the bus, not just ride on it!
ALBERTA RCMP APP - The Alberta RCMP have recently created a phone app that is available as a free download from your App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android). The app contains current information on RCMP reports, rural and municipal crime statistics for Alberta detachments including Cochrane and Airdrie, Alberta crime map, Project Lock-up, Detachment contact info, Report a Crime tool, and Crime Stopper links. This is a very handy app for monitoring rural crime activity and RCMP reporting.
LOCK YOUR VEHICLES - RCMP alerts that vehicle thefts are rising, most of which are due to folks leaving the vehicle unattended and running unlocked. Take care to ensure that you lock your vehicles if you are warming them up!! Open unattended vehicles are too easy a target.
Also note that catalytic converter thefts are increasing, especially for larger vehicles and motorhomes - so be aware and vigilant - don't leave your vehicles exposed and unprotected.
WATCH THIS FRAUD VIDEO - Take care to avoid becoming a fraud victim.
HUNTERS REQUIRE PERMISSION - As a reminder, all hunters need to have the permission of the land owner or leaseholder in order to hunt on private or leased Crown lands. Here is an example form that a landowner can require to be filled out by hunters seeking permission to access lands to hunt. Please ensure you have obtained written permission beforehand.
CFPA ELECTIONS AND EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS - Our AGM held on November 10, 2021 via Zoom resulted in the election of the following Directors for one-year terms: Rosemary Lindsay, Samanntha Wright, Howard Hawkwood, Bob Bleaney, D'Arcy Boardman, and Jared Serviss. Paul Clark and Martyn Griggs were appointed as auditors. Draft Minutes of the AGM will be posted on our Members Only page shortly.
Executive appointments for 2021/2022 are: President - Rosemary Lindsay; Vice President - Jared Serviss; Secretary - Samanntha Wright; Treasurer - Bob Bleaney.
Thanks to all for their volunteer service towards reducing rural crime.
FRAUD ALERT - Institutions such as banks, government agencies, the police or credit card companies have a lot of authority. Fraudsters take advantage of that influence to get you to send them money or give out your personal information. Reports of impersonation scams have almost doubled in the last year and are sure to continue to grow. Learn more about scams by clicking our That's Not the Bank or the Government on the Other End of the Line article.
BE "BEAR SMART" - Here is a recent Cochrane article regarding bear safety concerns - keep aware and stay safe! Cochrane Now article.
RAPID Response program initiated - On April 1, 140 Fish and Wildlife Officers across Alberta become part of a new initiative to combat rural crime and protect Albertans: RAPID Response.
Under RAPID Response, Alberta's Fish and Wildlife officers are now available to help the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta answer emergency and high-priority calls when requested. This means Fish and Wildlife officers are now able to respond to requests from the RCMP to be first at the scene of an emergency in cases where they are closer than the police. Fish and Wildlife officers will also respond to RCMP requests for backup, which could involve helping the police locate suspects or preserve a crime scene.
RAPID Response is a new function for Fish and Wildlife officers - it's not a new organization. The core mandate of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services remains conservation law enforcement. On most days, Fish and Wildlife officers will spend their time solely on their regular duties.
RAPID Response currently covers most areas of rural Alberta policed by the RCMP. The provincial government is also holding a series of meetings with First Nations and Métis leaders to determine their interest and earn their support before expanding RAPID Response to their communities.
Alberta RCMP launches online crime reporting across the province - a new online crime reporting initiative has been launched that allows Albertans to report select property crimes on-line. The direct link to report a crime online can be found here. We have also added a new "button" above on this web page to provide a direct link to the app on an ongoing basis. Please take the opportunity to check it out. The RCMP's announcement of this online reporting tool including the criteria for reporting is available at this link.
Members Only Page - Click on our new Members's Only & Reporter link to access our new Member's Only materials and Reporter. You will be directed to a log-in portal which, upon entry of your current ID and Password, will open both the "Member Only" materials and the "Reporter" tool.
