Various police units, along with their community partners, will spend the duration of four shifts focusing on responding to the unique needs of two diverse patrol areas within the West Division boundaries.
“The large industrial areas do present policing challenges as they are so spread out, and in some cases operate around the clock,” says Acting Sergeant Bryce Healey. “The needs of these stakeholders are often focused around property crimes such as theft or break and enter to fenced compounds.”
On the flipside, restaurants, hotels and shopping centres often contact police to respond to a broad range of concerns, such as panhandling, suspicious persons or crimes to vehicles. For locals, as well as those in town for business and pleasure, these crime and disorder issues can have a ripple effect.
“We have had a long, positive history of working with most of the hotels in the westend. We both want to ensure that out-of-town guests are not left with a negative experience when visiting our city. Often times we have to remind travellers to lock their doors and remove valuables from their vehicle – that simple reminder is often enough,” says Acting Sgt. Healey.
West Division invites all community members to a FREE barbeque from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Officers and other resources will be available during the barbeque to answer any questions and provide additional resource material. For citizens interested in attending, there will be barbeques at two locations during the four-night crime prevention effort. The first two nights (Aug. 5-6), police will be set-up at a parking lot near 153 Street and 111 Avenue (near Jiffy Lube). The final two evenings (Aug. 7-8), police will be available in the northeast corner of Mayfield Common (near Save-On-foods).
Civilian volunteer members of the Community Police Radio Network (CPRN) will assist police over the weekend with particular focus in and around the industrial areas. CPRN has been assisting police in the west end for over 20 years by driving around neighbourhoods and reporting suspicious vehicles, persons and incidents to police.
As the case with most CAT deployments, additional resources will attend to engage and empower members of the community. The following partners will attend the barbeque and are available to answer questions from the public:
- Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
- Metis Child, Family and Community Services
- REACH Edmonton Council for Safe Communities
- Crime Stoppers
- NET (Neighbourhood Empowerment Team)
- CEASE (Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation)
- City of Edmonton Parks and Recreation
- Edmonton Public School (Mayfield representative)
The CAT deployments are part of the EPS Violence Reduction Strategy and have been successful in reducing crime and disorder in communities across the city. For specific details and information about the Community Action Team (CAT) or the Violence Reduction Strategy, visit www.edmontonpolice.ca/CAT.