Enforcement Services

As the weather warms up, more motorcyclists take to the roads. The Motorcycle Safety and Awareness campaign aims to educate both motorcyclists and drivers about the importance of sharing the road responsibly. Enforcement agencies will be conducting various activities, including safety checks, awareness programs, and community outreach, to ensure that everyone understands the rules and practices safe driving habits.

Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear appropriate protective gear, maintain their bikes, and follow traffic laws diligently. Drivers, on the other hand, are reminded to check blind spots, signal intentions clearly, and give motorcyclists ample space. By working together, we can reduce accidents and make Alberta's roads safer for everyone.

Let's embrace Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month with a commitment to protecting lives and fostering a culture of safety. Remember, safety starts with you!

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Did you know that of the 498 tickets issued in April by Parkland County Enforcement, 335 of them (over 67%) were for speeding?! Speeding remains a significant concern in Alberta, contributing to numerous traffic accidents and fatalities each year. During the month of April, law enforcement officers throughout the province have stepped up patrols for speeding violations.

As part of the Provincial Traffic Safety Campaign, Alberta Transportation and local law enforcement agencies have been working together to raise awareness about the dangers of speeding. Excessive speed reduces reaction times, increases stopping distances, and diminishes the effectiveness of safety features like seatbelts and airbags.

By highlighting these risks, the campaign aims to encourage drivers to adhere to speed limits and drive responsibly to protect themselves and others on the road. Through these combined efforts, law enforcement agencies throughout Alberta aim to foster a culture of safe driving and reduce the prevalence of speeding-related accidents.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Using Off Highway Vehicles (OHVs) for recreational purposes can be a lot of fun, but OHVs have the potential for personal injury or even death. This is why Parkland County Peace Officers educate users about municipal bylaws and provincial acts relating to proper OHV use and safety precautions.

Can you ride your OHV in a Subdivision or Hamlet?

OHVs are allowed only on the road surface and not in the ditch. This does not include provincial highways or ditches along provincial highways. The maximum speed limit while riding on a road surface is 30 km/hr. Check here to find out which subdivisions and land areas do NOT allow OHV travel.

Also, OHV operators should not ride on other people's property unless they have received permission from the property owner. Unauthorized riding is:

· Trespassing

· Against the law

· Damaging to crops, fences, and other valuable items

Parkland County Peace Officers are active on our Enforcement Services OHVs throughout the seasons, and also make proactive patrols in our patrol vehicles. Officers interact with riders and use a combination of education and enforcement when dealing with OHV operators. For more information, residents can find more details at OHV use in Parkland County.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Ensuring the safety of our children in playgrounds, on trails and in parks in Parkland County is a top priority for our community. Regular inspections and maintenance are conducted to ensure equipment and trails are in good condition and free from hazards. It's also important to teach our kids about park and playground safety rules, such as staying close, using equipment properly and being mindful of others. And if you spot one of our Parkland County Peace Officers patrolling a park or trail, please come and say 'Hi'. We'd love to chat with you!

General park regulations include obeying all posted signs and guidelines. It's also important to stay on designated trails to protect both the environment and your personal safety. Families should also be prepared for changing weather conditions by bringing appropriate clothing and gear.

By following these guidelines, we can all enjoy Parkland County's beautiful parks, trails and playgrounds, while minimizing risks and protecting the natural environment.

Building Safer Communities...Together.

Responsible Pet Ownership 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.

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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 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 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, 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

The RCMP has created a crime map to show areas 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 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 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 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, 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 promise lucrative job opportunities but require upfront fees for training or materials, leaving victims with nothing in return.
• CRA scams involve callers posing as tax officials, threatening legal action unless immediate payment is made.
• Foreign lottery or prize schemes claim the victim has won a large sum of money but require payment of fees to release the winnings.
• Overpayment schemes target sellers, where scammers send a fake check for more than the agreed amount and request the excess to be refunded.
• Inheritance scams involve fake notifications of a large inheritance, requiring payment of fees to process the claim.
• Credit card interest rate reduction schemes promise lower rates but require upfront fees, ultimately providing no benefit to the victim.

Building Safer Communities...Together.