Picture Butte December 16 council meeting highlights: Crime and emergency statistics drop

Posted on January 9, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The final council meeting of 2024 started on a high note with RCMP Sgt. Mike Numan noting a decrease in crime rates as he presented the quarterly community policing report.

The report outlined updates on staffing, finances, and crime statistics. Key updates include the body worn camera (BWC) rollout starting this month, with province-wide media releases, demonstrations, and deployment expected to take 12-18 months. Local communication will occur prior to BWC deployment in the community. Additionally, the RCMP Public Consultation Tool is set to launch in early 2025 to gather anonymous feedback, promote transparency, and improve policing services. Numan encourages engagement in the consultation process and invites further discussion on local policing priorities. 

The detachments have been very involved in the communities in which they operate, and statistics showed lowered crime rates across several key metrics. “Pretty much everything has dropped significantly,” Sgt. Numan was pleased to note. “Everything is way down compared to 2023.”

Concerns were raised in the meeting about speeding. After collecting data, council will approach Alberta Transportation to discuss viable options.

Following Sgt. Numan’s report was a request for decision on the returning officers. The recommendation was that council appoint Michelle Overbeeke as the returning officer and Keith Davis as the deputy returning officer. This was motioned and carried without opposition.

The Director of Emergency Services report showed activity across fire services, emergency medical services (EMS), and by-law services. Fire crews responded to 23 incidents, including motor vehicle collisions, structure fires, and medical emergencies. Three fire services members completed basic technical rescue training. The technical rescue team assisted in a vehicle rollover on November 10. 

EMS crews attended 43 medical events and maintained status with Accreditation Canada. By-law continued daily patrols, focusing on summer enforcement activities like weeds, unsightly properties, and trailer parking. Four urban hen licenses were issued. 

Across the board, emergency services saw a noticeable dip in incidents during the reporting period. 

In other news, Lethbridge County is happy to appoint Brea Tamminga as the Regional Emergency Management Coordinator. A letter from the  Office of the Minister, Alberta Arts, Culture & Status of Women, to Picture Butte’s Walk on the Wild Side Society congratulated the Community Facility Enhancement Program for a successful grant application for its CPR Trail project.

It is important to highlight an issue brought forth during the police and emergency services reports. Officers in both divisions mentioned the lack of shelter space for surrendered and captured animals. In an issue affecting all of Southeastern Alberta, shelters are at capacity while the rate of surrendered or abandoned animals grows at an alarming rate. Consideration should be taken before gifting a pet for Christmas, and those with pets should strongly consider spaying/neutering to help control unwanted animal populations.

Due to the holiday season, the December 23 council meeting did not take place. Meetings resume in January.