Area residents have another portal to learn about some of the goings on in their community with the launch of the Drumheller and District Rural Crime Watch website.
The Drumheller Rural Crime Watch Association has more than 30 years of history in the area. It started out as many small groups of rural residents, all with the aim to deter crime in rural areas. The members act as the eyes and ears for neighbors and keeping everyone informed.
The role has never been to intervene, but to collect information through observations that could assist the police in their investigations.
In about 1986, the group decided there is strength in numbers and amalgamated. By the next year, the group was registered as an association.
Today there are members in surrounding counties and municipal districts surrounding Drumheller.
One of the main tools that Rural Crime Watch has is a phone fan out and an automated phone tree was brought in to keep in contact with members and to keep them informed. Information includs everything from suspicious activity, RCMP reports, to meeting notices.
This was shared with Citizens on Patrol until last year when it partnered with Starland County and purchased a new phone tree. This system notified members through phone, text and email.
The new website is its newest tool to communicate with members, residents and potential members. Those interested can go to www.drum
crimewatch.com. Here there is great information on the organization, what they do and how to get involved.
Their fan-outs will appear on this site and on its Facebook page. There are also links to contact the Drumheller Rural Crime Watch Association and how to apply.
