Enforcement Services

As we say goodbye to 2024, take a moment to reflect on the year that has passed. There may have been challenges, but hopefully some triumphs as well. Times of growth and learning, with perhaps a few obstacles sprinkled in to test our resilience.

As we step over the bridge into 2025, we carry with us the lessons learned, and the strength gained from this past year. We embrace hope and determination, ready to take on new opportunities.

May 2025 be a year full of love, joy and peace for you and yours. Happy New Year to everyone, from all of us here at Parkland Enforcement Services.

Parkland County Enforcement Services (PCES) is encouraging members of the public to practice crime prevention strategies during the winter and upcoming holiday season. Here are some tips to ensure the security of your home, vehicle, property and personal financial information.

PCES recommends the following smart practices to protect your vehicle and its contents:

• Do not leave your vehicle running, unattended, or with keys in the ignition. This is the number one opportunity for auto theft in winter weather.
• Park in well-lit areas and always lock your vehicle. Do not store spare keys to your vehicle (or another family vehicle) in your car.
• Consider buying a steering wheel locking device or other anti-theft device and use it, every time you park your vehicle.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight, even if your vehicle is locked. This is especially important now that people are doing Christmas shopping and may think it safe to leave gifts and other purchases unattended in a vehicle.
• CBC News: The National - 4 Ways to Prevent Your Car from Being Stolen

In addition, PCES recommends the following strategies to protect your home:

• Always lock your house when you leave. If you have an alarm system, use it. It is also good practice once you’ve entered your home, to lock your doors behind you.
• Make it clear to any observer that your home is occupied; clear sidewalks of snow, empty mailboxes, keep a light on in your house and keep the exterior of your home well lit.
• If you are travelling during the Christmas season, ask a trusted neighbour or friend to give your house that same “lived-in” look while you are away.
• If you observe any criminal activity in your neighbourhood, report it to police. If you can do so safely, take note of details like clothing descriptions or license plate numbers and report this information to police.

When making purchases or using an Automated Banking Machine (ABM), always remember to safeguard your Personal Identification Number, or PIN. Use your free hand to shield the keypad as you enter your PIN. Check your financial statements carefully and report any irregularities to the appropriate authorities. If you are making online purchases, be cautious. Don’t let your enthusiasm for a good deal override your common sense. Deal with reputable companies, use secure payment options and don’t be bullied by “limited time offers” into making hasty purchases.

With all of the extra activity and preparations for the holiday season, remember to secure your vehicle, home, property and financial information. Make these crime prevention strategies part of your daily routine.

For more information regarding Crime Prevention click HERE.

There is also an Alberta Provincial website specifically designed for Crime Prevention and Community Safety Programs.

During the early evening of November 18, a Parkland County Peace Officer was patrolling east of RR20, on Parkland Drive. A dark coloured vehicle came speeding past. The Officer immediately determined the vehicle to be travelling far in excess of the posted speed limit of 70km/hr. The vehicle was in fact travelling at 147 km/hr, which is 77 km/hr over the maximum speed limit.

This is more than double the speed limit!

The Ford Mustang was being driven in this well-known high traffic area (and after dark when visibility is also typically less than ideal). The male driver was in his early 20's. He received (1) a mandatory court appearance scheduled for early in the new year, and (2) hopefully a new appreciation for obeying the speed limit signs.

There are a few notable locations throughout Parkland County that seem to attract drivers wanting to exceed the posted speed limits. Parkland Officers, and especially the designated Traffic Enforcement detail, remain diligent and watchful for these speeders. Speed limits are there for a reason, ...for the safety of all of us.

October is cyber security awareness month!

This month, take the opportunity to learn about online safety and how to protect the data and information of you and your loved ones.

Here are some precautions you can take:

• Set up multi-factor authentications for your accounts
• Be thoughtful about the information you share online
• Use passphrases, not just numbers for your passwords
• Regularly update software

Want to be cyber safe? Visit www.getcybersafe.gc.ca

Parkland RCMP remind public of documents needed for Criminal Record Checks

Spruce Grove, Alta. – It’s that time of year when our criminal record/vulnerable sector checks increase due to the start up of school, hockey, soccer, gymnastics, and many other children and sport activities. The detachment personnel do their best to have these checks done in a timely manner. To help them process the checks quickly, Parkland RCMP want to remind everyone to bring the following when you attend the detachment:

• Two pieces of ID are needed. All valid Government photo ID can be used for the first proof of identification. This would include driver’s licences, passports, Firearms Licences (PAL) or an Alberta Resident Card.
• Second piece of ID does not have to have your photo, but must contain name and date of birth (examples: Alberta Health Care Card, birth certificate or student card) Indigenous Status cards can also be used, even if they are expired.

There may be charges for certain types of criminal record checks and/or fingerprinting. If you are volunteering for a position you will need to provide a recently dated letter on the organization’s letterhead indicating that you are a volunteer for them. This will allow us to waive the fee for the Criminal Record Check.

If you need a vulnerable sector check completed, you must reside in the detachment area. Recent proof of address is required (ie; a copy of a utility bill showing residential address in your name, etc). By bringing these documents with you when you attend the detachment, it will help the staff to serve you better and be able to process your Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector checks with less delay.

If you have any information about a 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.

Update: Spruce Grove, Alta. – Effective July 2nd, 2024, Parkland RCMP Detachment new front counter office hours will be Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 6:30 pm; closed Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays.

Parkland County, Alta. - As of April 1, 2024 Parkland RCMP Detachment will be extending their front counter hours to 8:30am – 6:30pm Monday to Saturday. “By extending our hours, we will be more accessible to the public and this will provide a better service to our clients” says Insp. McGillivray. Please visit the Parkland RCMP Detachment website for more information including the address and the online reporting tool.

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.

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.

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.