Enforcement Services

Responsible Pet Ownership(External link) is crucial for maintaining a harmonious community and ensuring the well-being of your pet. If you own a dog, one key aspect is to ensure it is not running at large, which can prevent accidents and disturbances. Additionally, it's important to manage your dog's behavior to avoid excessive howling or barking, which can be disruptive to neighbours. Responsible owners should also prevent their dogs from chasing, barking at, or biting people, pets, livestock, or vehicles, as these actions can lead to dangerous situations, ...and legal consequences.

Moreover, keeping your dog from upsetting or scattering the contents of garbage containers helps maintain cleanliness and order in your neighbourhood. If you have a female dog, confining her when she is in season is essential to prevent unwanted pregnancies and potential conflicts with other dogs. Lastly, ensuring your dog does not enter school yards or cemeteries within Parkland County is important to respect these spaces.

Additionally, All dogs in Parkland County are required to be licensed. Please help keep our community safe and your furry friend protected by purchasing a lifetime dog license at the Parkland County Centre. Pet identification, including tags, microchips, and/or tattoos assist the Parkland County Animal Shelter in reuniting lost pets with their owner. By following these guidelines, you contribute to a safe and respectful environment for everyone. For more information on dog licensing, you can visit Parkland County’s Animal Licenses webpage here: Animal Licenses(External link).

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As a final note, the Animal Protection Act of Alberta ensures the safety and proper care and treatment of animals. If you suspect an animal in Parkland County is injured, in distress, or is left outside too long without proper shelter, food, or water, please contact Parkland County Enforcement Services(External link) at 780-968-8888 (780-968-8400 after hours). Your vigilance can make a significant difference in the lives of animals and help maintain proper standards of care within our community. Thank you!

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Road bans in Alberta(External link) are temporary restrictions placed on certain roads to protect them from damage, particularly during periods of thawing in the spring. These bans are essential for maintaining the integrity of the road infrastructure, as heavy vehicles can cause significant damage when the ground is soft. The bans typically limit the weight of vehicles allowed on these roads, ensuring that they remain in good condition for all users. The Alberta government regularly updates the road ban list, which includes detailed information on the affected roads and the specific weight restrictions in place.

For real-time updates and information on current road conditions, drivers can use resources like 511 Alberta, which provides up-to-the-minute traffic information. Additionally, local municipalities, such as Parkland County(External link), may issue their own local road bans and/or provide maps and permits for affected areas.

By adhering to these road bans, drivers help preserve the road network and ensure safe travel for everyone. If you need to travel on restricted roads, it's important to check the latest updates and obtain the necessary permits to avoid fines and contribute to the maintenance of Alberta's roadways.

For additional information in Parkland County, please contact 780-968-8888.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

RCMP Crime Map(External link)

The RCMP has created a crime map to show areas(External link) where crime has occurred recently. You can select an area of interest by clicking on the map and zooming in. Select a date range and up to six crime categories to plot on the map. The points on the map are not placed at the exact location of the crime; they are placed at nearby intersections or regions.

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Parkland County Enforcement Services(External link) holds weekly team meetings for officers to get updates on recent incidents, crime trends, and assignments like Community Patrols. These meetings also cover safety protocols and intelligence sharing. Officers can also ask questions and get guidance from supervisors.

Peace Officers also attend scheduled training sessions regarding officer safety, legal updates, community engagement and enforcement strategies. This training helps officers stay current with practices and technologies, improving their service to the community.

By meeting and training regularly, officers build strong relationships within Parkland County Enforcement Services, enhance problem-solving skills, and ensure a unified approach to community service. Regular meetings and training events help us live up to our slogan.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

In March, Alberta's Traffic Safety Campaign(External link) emphasizes the critical importance of wearing seatbelts. Parkland County Enforcement Services, Alberta RCMP and other local authorities remind motorists that seatbelt use significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death in the event of a collision. Properly wearing a seatbelt ensures that the force from a crash is distributed across the body, minimizing harm. The campaign highlights that seatbelts should be worn at all times by both drivers and passengers, with the lap belt positioned low across the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest. This simple yet effective safety measure is crucial for protecting occupants in both regular and off-road vehicles.

The campaign also includes enforcement initiatives to ensure compliance with seatbelt laws. During March, PCES, RCMP and other police services conduct province-wide seatbelt enforcement blitzes, issuing fines for infractions. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt in Alberta is $162, and drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 are properly restrained.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Fraudulent phone scams(External link) are a prevalent issue, with scammers using spoofed phone numbers to deceive victims into believing they are receiving legitimate calls. These scams often involve impersonating trusted entities such as tech support from companies like Microsoft, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), airlines, or other reputable organizations.

Here are a few examples of other scams and schemes:

• Emergency scams(External link), also known as grandparent scams, exploit the victim's emotions by pretending to be a distressed relative in need of immediate financial assistance.
• Work-at-home schemes(External link) promise lucrative job opportunities but require upfront fees for training or materials, leaving victims with nothing in return.
• CRA scams(External link) involve callers posing as tax officials, threatening legal action unless immediate payment is made.
• Foreign lottery or prize schemes(External link) claim the victim has won a large sum of money but require payment of fees to release the winnings.
• Overpayment schemes(External link) target sellers, where scammers send a fake check for more than the agreed amount and request the excess to be refunded.
• Inheritance scams(External link) involve fake notifications of a large inheritance, requiring payment of fees to process the claim.
• Credit card interest rate reduction schemes(External link) promise lower rates but require upfront fees, ultimately providing no benefit to the victim.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Occasionally in Parkland County, as in other municipalities, a residential property may not be maintained to an acceptable standard. One such property emerged in the Central Parkland County area. After months of investigations and follow-ups, a comprehensive 2-day cleanup became necessary. Although this was an obviously stressful period for the residents, all individuals on the property were cooperative for this cleanup process.

The cleanup involved one unregistered, non-operational vehicle, and lots of general rubbish. Three large dumpsters of garbage had to be removed. The property is looking significantly better from the roadway, and neighbors can't help but notice a positive transformation.

Parkland County residents are certainly appreciative of the team efforts between Parkland RCMP and Parkland County Enforcement Services.

Just another example of...

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Fraud prevention is crucial in combating various scams that target individuals through different channels.

Romance scams, for instance, involve scammers creating fake profiles on dating sites or social media platforms to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money. These scammers often claim to be in distress or need financial assistance for emergencies, exploiting the victim's emotions.

Phishing emails are another common scam, where fraudsters send deceptive emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, tricking recipients into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links.

Job scams promise lucrative employment opportunities but require upfront fees for training or materials, leaving victims with nothing in return.

Buy and sell fraud involves scammers posing as buyers or sellers on online marketplaces, deceiving individuals into paying for non-existent goods or services.

Lottery and prize scams claim the victim has won a large sum of money but require payment of fees to release the winnings.

Tech repair scams involve fraudsters posing as tech support agents, convincing victims that their devices have issues and charging for unnecessary repairs.

Impersonation scams are particularly deceptive, with scammers pretending to be trusted entities like government officials, law enforcement, or company representatives to extract money or personal information.

By staying informed about these scams and adopting preventive measures, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to fraudulent activities. Watching educational videos, such as those provided by the Edmonton Police Service(External link), can further enhance awareness and understanding of these scams.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Fraud Prevention Month, held annually in March, is a campaign designed to raise awareness about various types of fraud and how to prevent them. Initiated by the Canadian Competition Bureau in 2004, this month-long event aims to educate the public on recognizing, rejecting, and reporting fraudulent activities

During Fraud Prevention Month, several common scams are highlighted to help people stay vigilant:

• Investment fraud via social media often involves scammers posing as financial advisors or successful investors, luring victims with promises of high returns.
• Ponzi or pyramid schemes entice individuals to invest in a business model that relies on recruiting new investors to pay returns to earlier investors.
• Cryptocurrency schemes exploit the complexity and novelty of digital currencies to deceive investors with fake coins or fraudulent investment opportunities.
• Real estate scams can involve fake property listings or fraudulent investment opportunities in real estate projects.
• Offshore investing schemes promise high returns through investments in foreign markets, often hiding the true nature of the investment and making it difficult for victims to recover their money.

If you have any other questions or need further details regarding frauds, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Fraud and relationship scams have become increasingly prevalent in today’s digital age, exploiting individuals seeking companionship. These scams often begin with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps and social media platforms, where they build a rapport with their victims over time. Once trust is established, the scammer may fabricate a crisis or urgent need for money, convincing the victim to transfer funds. The emotional manipulation involved can be devastating, leaving victims not only financially drained but also emotionally scarred.

To protect oneself from such scams, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and skeptical of online interactions, especially when financial requests are made. Verifying the identity of the person you’re communicating with through video calls or other means can help ensure their authenticity. Additionally, being aware of common red flags, such as inconsistent stories or reluctance to meet in person, can help individuals avoid falling prey to these schemes.

Reporting suspicious activities to relevant authorities can also aid in preventing others from becoming victims. By staying informed and cautious, individuals can better safeguard themselves against the emotional and financial toll of relationship scams.

If you suspect suspicious fraudulent activity, contact your local RCMP detachment:

(External link)Parkland RCMP detachment(External link)

(External link)Evansburg RCMP detachment(External link)

For additional video information and resources regarding Relationship and Romance Scams click here...Fraud - Relationship Scams (videos)(External link)

Revisit YourParkland.ca\Enforcement next week for Frauds relating to Investment Scams.

Building Safer Communities...Together.