Central Parkland County

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

Parkland County, Alta. – On March 5, 2024 at approximately 2:30am, Parkland RCMP were conducting patrols near Alberta Beach and Range Road 32 when they located an older model Volvo car that had been previously stolen out of Beaumont. When the Parkland RCMP attempted a traffic stop, the stolen Volvo fled to evade police. The police did not initiate a pursuit, however, a short time later, the police were able to follow the vehicle tracks in the fresh snow that led them to a property in a subdivision, near Alberta Beach. Parkland RCMP located the stolen Volvo at this property and the lone driver fled on foot from police. Again, the fresh snow assisted the police in locating the suspect hiding in the bushes. This suspect is known to police and was arrested without incident.

Samantha Alley of no fixed address was charged with:

• Possession of stolen property under $5000
• Flight from police officer
• Possession of break-in instruments
• Possession of a prohibited weapon
• Fail to comply with a release order
• Drive while unauthorized

The accused was brought before a Justice of the Peace and released from custody on a Release Order. Her next Court appearance is April 24, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Stony Plain, AB.

If you have any information about this or any other crime, please call the Parkland RCMP at 825-220-7267. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

During the month of February 2024, Parkland County Enforcement Services (PCES) conducted an increased number of targeted patrols in Wabamun and surrounding areas. Based on information from both the RCMP and the general public, these patrols were coordinated to occur at specific times and locations in the Wabamun area.

PCES planned a number of traffic enforcement operations intended to deter, disrupt and displace crime in the area. These operations target traffic offences statistically related to crime, increasing the likelihood Officers have of encountering criminal entities and activities as well as deterring and displacing any would be criminals.

PCES also planned and conducted several Joint Force Operations with Parkland RCMP in the Wabamun area. These patrols were conducted at specific times identified by the RCMP as peak property crime times.

As a result of these operations, several arrests were made for individuals with outstanding warrants and/or breaching conditions. Several drivers were issued summons for offences statistically related to crime, including: driver while unauthorized/suspended, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Uninsured vehicles were towed and impounded.

Help us keep your community stay safe, if you see criminal or suspicious activity, report it to Parkland RCMP!

It was standing room only in Wabamun at the Community Crime Update hosted by Parkland County Enforcement Services, alongside RCMP Corporal, Ferri. with an appearance by Division 5 Councillor, Rob Wiedeman on February 22, 2024.

After presentations by both the Enforcement team and an RCMP Constable, there was a great dialogue with lots of questions from engaged members of the Wabamun community.

The main takeaways from the meeting were:

• Members of the Community need to stay vigilant. If something seems off – it probably is.
  
  
• Reporting is key, no matter how small the issue may be. This provides the most accurate crime data and allows resources to be deployed in the areas that need it most.

•SCAN - Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods is a unit of the Alberta Sheriffs that helps keep communities safe by dealing with problem properties that are being used for specific illegal activity such as drug trafficking. Properties can be anonymously reported online or by phone.

Now we want to hear from you! In order to serve you better, please register on YourParkland.ca so we can keep you updated on the latest Enforcement efforts and let us know if you’d like to attend a Community Crime Update in your area.