Drumheller RCMP have announced its finalized policing priorities for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The priorities were established after much consultation, including with elected officials, partners, the general public, committees, and after holding Town Hall Meetings and running a public survey.
“The purpose of establishing policing priorities is to ensure that our detachment is focusing on current and local policing issues that matter, are relevant, and important to the community,” says Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Rob Harms. “The priorities are supported by our statistical data, officer observations, and equally important are supported by the many people, partners, and officials (who) offered input.”
A total of four priorities were outlined, as well as initiatives to address each priority.
Crime reduction, with a focus on property crime, is the first priority laid out, with initiatives on compliance checks on prolific and repeat offenders, fraud awareness presentations with partners focusing on vulnerable community members, proactive initiatives on property crime, and Operation Street Sweep and Crime and Traffic Suppression shifts.
Public engagement, transparency and visibility was the second priority, and will focus on town hall meetings, media releases for transparency, red serge and public appearances, including with partners, and public engagement through Mocha with a Mountie.
Reducing substance abuse, with a focus on drugs, has been an ongoing priority, and RCMP will focus on drug enforcement operations, drug training for members, and presentations to youth and other focus groups on drug awareness.
The final priority is to enhance road and traffic safety through traffic interventions and enforcement, conducting impaired driver interventions and enforcement, and Alberta Checkstop operations with partners.
S/Sgt Harms adds he is happy to see the Drumheller RCMP already addressing the priorities as the fiscal year began on April 1.

Kneehill County council approved the first round of community grants for non-profit organizations, totalling $17,778 which will be allocated to six community organizations and groups, during the regular Tuesday, April 25 council meeting.
Round one applications were previously presented during the April 18 Committee of the Whole meeting, at which time council recommended approving all applications in the full amount requested.
Round one applications:
Three Hills Minor Softball $2,000 Purchase of new softball equipment for girls between seven and 13
Three Hills and District Agricultural Society $3,884 Purchase of a snow dog track setter with cross-country attachment
Swalwell Ladies Town and Country Club $1,200 Complete a project to mark unmarked cemetery plots at the Swalwell Cemetery
Kneehill Bow Hunters and Archers Society $1,500 Purchase of new archer targets for the club
Trochu Golf and Country Club $5,925 Replace three irrigation controllers
Trochu Pottery Club $3,269 Purchase of new kiln for club

Council has an allocated budget of $50,000 to support non-profit community organizations and groups and in January had previously allocated $17,500 to the Trochu and District Agricultural Society to support the purchase of new bleachers.

The county has provided funding to most of these organizations in the past with previous grant funding applications. However, it was noted, if approved, this would be the first time the county would be supporting the Kneehill Bow Hunters and Archers Society and Trochu Pottery Club.
Council unanimously approved the funding requests totalling $17,778; this will leave $14,722 for round two applications.