Alberta increases rural surveillance capacity to fight crime

By Mia Parker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Alberta’s government has invested $4.3 million toward two specialized surveillance teams to support fighting crime in rural Alberta, which are now fully operational.

“Two new surveillance teams are filling a gap by helping rural RCMP detachments with local investigations to combat local crime,” said Mike Ellis, minister of public safety and emergency services, in a July 18 news conference. 

“Their addition will significantly enhance law enforcement’s ability to surveil criminals and suspected criminals in rural areas where there’s often little capacity to do so.”

Rural communities will have the opportunity to apply to have Alberta Sheriffs run teams in their communities. 

“The surveillance teams are a great support for the Alberta RCMP, including the Pincher Creek detachment,” said Pincher Creek Sgt. Ryan Hodge in an emailed statement to Shootin’ the Breeze.

“We are currently working with existing surveillance teams and exploring how they could be used in the Pincher Creek area,” he said.

In Pincher Creek, RCMP statistics comparing annual first-quarter crime reports from 2020 to 2024 indicate crime is on a general decline.

In Crowsnest Pass, the first quarter of this year has seen an increase in reports of break and enter, theft under $5,000 and theft of a motor vehicle compared to last year, but a general decrease otherwise. 

“The creation of these surveillance teams will go a long way to stomping out criminal activity in rural Alberta and to boosting law enforcement’s capacity to keep albertans and their properties safe,” said Ellis.

Though the teams have vast geographical mandates, there will be a priority matrix in place to prioritize rural communities dealing with repeat offenders. 

The southern Alberta team will be based out of Calgary, and will work collaboratively with southern detachments. When assisting in communities, these teams will surveil criminals and suspected criminals the local detachment is aware of, with the aim of gathering evidence and making arrests when crimes are in process. 

“We will do whatever it takes to keep Albertans safe,” said Ellis. “There is no safe haven for criminal activity in Alberta, full stop.”

He describes these teams as an additional tool in RCMP’s toolbox for disrupting and deterring rural crime.

The teams are overseen by Alberta Sheriffs, each composed of one sergeant and seven sheriffs, all plainclothes and with specialized surveillance training.

“Investigations could include anything from suspected drug operations in residential areas to break and enter suspects targeting rural areas, businesses or industrial properties,” said Alberta Sheriffs superintendent Mike Letourneau in the news conference.

“More surveillance capacity means more offenders ultimately being removed from Alberta’s streets,” Letourneau said. “It means safer Alberta communities.”

If you see a crime in progress or need police assistance in an emergency, call 911. Please contact your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers with information about any illegal activity.