Drumheller residents have the opportunity to have their say on what law enforcement priorities are in the community through the Policing Committee Survey.
The survey is on the Town of Drumheller website year round, and over the next few weeks, the policing committee is asking residents to take the time to identify their concerns in the community. Chair of the policing committee Larry Coney explains the survey is used by the RCMP in conjunction with the division to outline the priorities.
“Last year they set their priorities according to this … and submitted to K Division, and K Division made their own priorities, but they did use this,” said Coney.
Last year the survey had 1,185 responses, and this year they are close to the same number. In April, they will take the responses, tabulate them and present them.
“One of the main things last year was that police weren’t visible, and this year they were,” said Coney. He adds police were present at events in the school, and bike patrols.
He says last year distracted driving, property crimes, break and enters and speeding were all identified as priorities by the community.
“I think, in my own view, they did a pretty good job,” he said.
The Policing Committee also acts as a governance committee. This is the body where the public can bring its complaints or concerns about policing. Coney says they will take the complaint to the local officer in charge, and if it is not dealt with to satisfaction at that level, they can pursue it further. Last year there were three complaints and they were dealt with locally.
Coney encourages as many people as possible to fill out the survey so it represents the community.
To find the annual policing survey go to www.dinosaurvalley.com and follow the link on the right side of the screen. A hard copy is also available at town hall.
