Central Parkland County

Here are some key examples:

• Unfamiliar Vehicles: Vehicles that are parked in unusual locations or linger for extended periods, or move slowly through neighborhoods
• Strangers Loitering: Individuals who are hanging around without a clear purpose, especially near homes or businesses
• Door-to-Door Solicitation: People going door-to-door, particularly if they go to the back of a residence or business
• Unusual Behavior: People acting strangely, such as asking about security measures or trying to enter buildings or cars without permission
• Unattended Items: Bags or packages left unattended in public places
• Vandalism: Graffiti or damage to property that appears to be recent
• Unkempt and Unsightly Properties: Properties that are ill-maintained, and unsightly, possibly attracting criminal behaviour
• Eliciting Information: Asking detailed questions about a facility’s operations, security, or personnel beyond normal curiosity

Our team of Peace Officers at Parkland County Enforcement Services are very family oriented and enjoy engaging with the children in our communities whenever we have the opportunity. An example of this comes through the several K-to-9 schools in the county. Liaising with the school contacts (and based around officer availability), a Peace Officer will schedule a session with a specific class to share information regarding various topics. Peace officers can cover a variety of engaging and educational topics when presenting to school kids.

Here are some popular topics:

1. Safety Awareness: Teaching kids how to stay safe in different situations, such as crossing the street, staying with a buddy and recognizing safe places and people.
2. Emergency Preparedness: How to react in emergencies, including dialing 911, knowing exits, and basic first aid.
3. Animal Safety, Education and Awareness: Interacting with animals and understanding their behaviours
4. Anti-Bullying: Discussing the importance of kindness, recognizing bullying, and how to report it.
5. Internet Safety: Educating kids on safe internet practices, including the dangers of sharing personal information online.
6. Bicycle and OHV Safety: The "Do's and Don'ts" when out riding.
7. Drug Awareness: Information on the dangers of drugs and alcohol as well as making healthy choices.
8. Peace Officer Introduction: Basic understanding of laws, rights, and the role of peace officers in the community.
9. Stranger Danger: Teaching kids how to recognize and react to strangers.
10. Respect and Responsibility: Encouraging respectful behavior and understanding the consequences of actions.

The lights, sirens and PA loudspeaker in the patrol vehicles always seem to be a big hit as well! The kids invariably love to interact with the officers also, and have many great questions and comments. These interactions not only educate children, but also help build positive relationships between Peace Officers and the community.

Watch for an upcoming on-line training session regarding "Bullying" coming early in the new year!

In the past week, Parkland County Peace Officers having been increasing their presence in the Wabamun area due to information received from Parkland RCMP that Property Crime was increasing.

On October 16^th, Peace Officers conducted a document check in Wabamun. Officers stopped a Honda Ridgeline and were able to determine the driver was operating the vehicle while suspended.

Later that day, Officers queried a passing vehicle’s license plate and determined it did not match the vehicle. Officers stopped the vehicle and determined in was unregistered and uninsured.

On October 17^th, Peace Officers stopped an Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) near the Kapasiwin Waste Transfer Station. Officers identified the driver and passenger before the OHV fled the traffic stop. After alerting Parkland RCMP, the OHV was recovered on Range Road 34 and confirmed stolen. RCMP verified that the OHV driver was wanted on outstanding warrants.

Later that day, Officers stopped a Uhaul truck in Wabamun. Officers determined the driver was operating the vehicle while suspended and that the Uhaul truck was stolen. During the investigation, tools commonly associated with property crimes (Break and Enter, Property Theft, Vehicle Theft, etc.) were located in the vehicle along with evidence of wire stripping. Parkland RCMP had information that could possibly lead to a connection between the Uhaul/Driver/Passenger and wire thefts that occurred in Spruce Grove in the days prior.

On October 18^th, Officers observed a van travelling in the Wabamun area without headlights during low light hours. After initiating a traffic stop, Officers determined that the driver had been consuming alcohol. Parkland RCMP were called and arrived to demand a breath sample. The driver was arrested for impaired driving and ticketed for operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Later that day Officers conducted a document check in Wabamun and stopped a Dodge Ram. The driver was unable to produce any identification or proof of insurance. Further investigation determined the driver was wanted on outstanding warrants.

Parkland County Peace Officers regularly employ routine traffic operations to target offences statistically related to crime and to deter, disrupt and displace crime. If you have concerns regarding crime trends in your area, we encourage you to use our "Questions Tool" to ask a Peace Officer. Or attend our Wabamun Satellite Office (Old Fire Hall) Wednesdays between 11:00am and 2:00pm to chat with a Peace Officer in person.

On August 13, 2024, Parkland County Peace Officers operating in the vicinity of HWY 16 and Rge Rd 35 noted a vehicle displaying an expired license plate. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the plate was not associated to any vehicle and the driver was suspended from driving.

The vehicle was seized, towed and impounded while the driver was issued violation tickets for driving while unauthorized, driving an unregistered motor vehicle, driving an uninsured motor vehicle and displaying an unauthorized plate. The driver had two separate suspensions in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

On June 28, 2024 a Parkland County Peace Officer conducting patrols in Wabamun, queried a license plate and determined it was expired. During the initial traffic stop, the officer observed the driver and passenger switch seats.

During the investigation, the driver of the vehicle was deceptive and showed signs of impairment. Parkland RCMP was called to assist.

The driver was arrested for obstruction and refusing to provide a breath sample. The passenger was arrested for outstanding warrants. The vehicle was seized and impound.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multi-disciplinary approach to crime prevention that uses urban and architectural design and the management of built and natural environments.

CPTED strategies aim to reduce victimization, deter offender decisions that precede criminal acts, and build a sense of community among inhabitants so they can gain territorial control of areas, reduce crime, and minimize fear of crime.

CPTED is pronounced ‘sep-ted’ and it is also known around the world as Designing Out Crime, defensible space, and other similar terms.

Parkland County Enforcement Services provides CPTED property assessments at no cost to the property owner. Call our complaint line and request your own assessment at 780-968-8400.

On June 21, 2024, Parkland County Enforcement Services will be attending Wabamun School for an interactive event with students, starting first thing in the morning with the school's community breakfast!

If you're interested in learning more about Parkland County's School Resource Officer or our kids safety programs, contact Enforcement Services at 780-968-8400.

Come chat with a Peace Officer! Our Enforcement Services will now have a Peace Officer at the Wabamun Satellite Office (5124 53 Ave) every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00p.m.

Residents are welcome to stop by during this time to speak with officers about community issues and concerns, ask questions or get information on resources.

In the spring of 2023 Parkland County Enforcement Services received a number of complaints regarding suspicious and/or potential scams related to paving services and contracts.

We are reminding residents to exercise diligence and caution when retaining contractor services. Keep the following tips in mind to avoid falling victim to a scam:

• Ask for names of previous customers and verify that they were satisfied with the work.
• Research the company through the Better Business Bureau in Alberta, the Consumer Investigations Unit, your local Rural Crime Watch, or on social media.
• Obtain a written quote that includes the full business name, address, phone number, GST number, as well as provincial and municipal license numbers, if applicable.
• Quotes should specify the quantity and quality of materials being offered. Be skeptical if contractors decline to provide this information.
• Seek estimates from reputable companies to compare costs.
• Do not agree to a contract if you feel pressured or if the contractor refuses to take "no" for an answer.
• Be leery of unsolicited offers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

The Alberta RCMP is working together with the Alberta Consumer Investigation Unit (CIU) to counter this trend. For more information, see the Service Alberta's Dealing with Door-to-Door Sales tip sheet. If you, or anyone you know, suspect a paving-contractor scam, please report it to your local RCMP detachment:

Parkland - 825-220-7267 - Non-emergency

Drayton valley - 780-542-4456 - Non-emergency

Evansburg - 780-727-4446 - Non-emergency