CPO focusing on unsightly premises in April

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Sunny South News

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

With warmer weather approaching, Coalhurst’s CPOs will be focusing on unsightly premises and RV parking.

During their regular April 16 meeting, Coalhurst town council reviewed their monthly report from their Community Peace Officers.

The department had 40 files during the month of March, which ranged from traffic complaints, unsightly property and snow removal issues. The focus for the month of March was on proper seat belt use and aggressive driving. Additionally, the department has continued its focus on poor park behaviour.

April marks the start of spring clean-up in town, and municipal enforcement will be focusing on unsightly properties. Properties deemed in violated of the town’s Unsightly Premises bylaw will receive a letter from municipal enforcement and given seven to 30 days to fix the issue. If, after that time period, the property’s condition hasn’t been rectified, a town contractor will clean it up to bring it into compliance with the bylaw, with the bill being sent to the property owner.

The department will start to focus on trailers and RV parking enforcement and education with the start of camping season. Additionally, according to Alberta Transportation’s enforcement calendar, April’s traffic focus is on speeding, aggressive driving, and motorcycle safety.

Town CAO Shawn Patience said he had been speaking with the principal of the elementary school about peace officers coming in and doing talks on bike safety, so “he is working on that”.

During the month of March, the file breakdown was:

• Traffic enforcement: 23 

• Animal control: 12 

• Unsightly property: 1 

• Other: 4 

• Violation fines issued: 1