M.D. updated on activities of Claresholm RCMP

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
The Claresholm RCMP had another active quarter, and their acting detachment commander recently updated the council of the Municipal District of Willow Creek on the detachment’s activities.
Corporal Chris Lafleur appeared as a delegation at council’s Aug. 10 meeting, where he began by outlining the RCMP’s overall six priorities.
They are enhancing engagement and communication with communities and stakeholders; community safety and well-being; Indigenous communities; equity, diversity and inclusion; crime reduction; and enhancing service delivery.
He then turned his attention to the community’s priorities.
The first is road safety where a total of 63 speeding interventions occurred in the first quarter including 55 speeding tickets, six written warnings, one dangerous driving, and one flight from police. Speeding interventions are below target. A total of five impaired driving related enforcements were done of which all were provincial sanctions of various types, and no Criminal Code charges. Impaired interventions are below target.
The second priority is crime reduction where a total of eight compliance checks were done in the first quarter which is far below target. A total of 12 media releases with awareness messaging were done which is the year end target, and such messages will continue. Operation Street Sweep commenced with multiple arrests and charges and was considered a success.
The third priority is to communicate effectively, where the detachment conducted a total of 17 foot patrols in the first quarter in various locations including alleys, streets, parks, and public relations events. Foot patrols are above target. A total of six enhanced shifts were run on crime suppression shift and public relations events, meeting the annual target. A total of one presentation – a mock disaster – was done at the school. Three presentations, on intimate images, were done at the school, and 18 meetings occurred in the first quarter, exceeding the annual target.
The fourth priority is drug enforcement. Drug investigations are ongoing but zero drug enforcement actions occurred, and drug enforcement actions are considered below target. It was noted the detachment aggressively addressed drug-related training in the first quarter with a total of 11 training exposures which is considered well above target.
Lafleur then talked about staffing.
He is the acting detachment commander because Sergeant Rob Harms has been seconded to the Piikani detachment for the next few months.
The Claresholm detachment is at full strength, but will be losing a member who is joining the Ottawa police service.
Lafleur called the RCMP staffing department who assured him the detachment will be receiving an experienced member to replace the departing one, not a cadet straight out of training.
He concluded by asking if council had any priorities.
Coun. Evan Berger said Highway 533 west has a lot of excessive speeding and dangerous driving.
Lafleur, who also supervises the Nanton RCMP detachment, said he will talk to the sheriffs, and RCMP to ensure they are there more.
“We thank you very much for what you do for our communities,” said Reeve Maryanne Sandberg. “Be safe out there.”