It was a packed hall for a meeting discussing rural crime hosted by the Foothills Rural Crime watch association on Monday, March 26.

High River RCMP Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander answered plenty of questions and had just as much good advice for rural residents.

He told the crowd the police are just as frustrated with the situation as they are, adding communications with each other and police is critical.

"I was impressed with the turnout," said Alexander. "My opening comment was I am happy to see everyone here as many as there are, sad to know the reason why."

He stressed the most important piece to fighting rural crime is communication.

"I know the Foothills Rural Crime Watch group is exploring a fan out system. I think that is absolutely vital, in the rural area, to have so if something is happening then everyone knows."

Because of the isolation of rural properties, he added, the more people know the more prepared they are to deal with things.

"Communications with each other and communications with us."

Alexander told the group the best defence in rural areas is to install crime prevention measures.

Like having a big dog, security cameras and bright lights.

"Lighting and security cameras are key. We have solved a lot of crime with security cameras, the quality has gotten way better. It is quite often the same people so we recognize their picture when we get them and that makes it so much easier to charge them and get them back in the courts."

Alexander also told the audience to avoid confrontations because you never know what kind of weapons criminals are carrying.

The Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association has a list of Safety Tips along with other information under their resources menu.

https://www.ruralcrimewatch.ab.ca/resources/safety-tips

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com