Crime is on the decline, according to members of the Cochrane RCMP detachment.
While firm stats are not yet available, Corp. Troy Savinkoff and Sgt. Ryan Singleton with the local Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) shared some recent successes their team has been met with – successes they chalk up to a "change in philosophy" and a collaborative approach not only within the detachment, but among partnering agencies and other detachments.
"Ninety five per cent of the crimes are committed by five per cent of the people," said Savinkoff, explaining the offender-focused work of the CRU. The team was put together by Insp. Lauren Weare two years ago, but kicked into gear over the last six months as a result of town funding. Cst. Caleb Davisson and Cst. Todd Simon are also on the team.
Just last week, the work of the CRU resulted in five arrests including two offenders from Cochrane – Dawn Smith, 42, and her boyfriend Michael Richard, 28, in relation to a string of bicycles thefts, many of them being sold for thousands.
Smith has been charged with theft over $5,000; trafficking of stolen property, possession of stolen property (two counts), possession of breaking instruments, possession of meth amphetamines and five more pending charges including identity theft.
Richards has been charged with trafficking of stolen property, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of breaking tools.
A search of a vehicle revealed an elaborate display of tools believed to have been used to commit property crimes, including bolt cutters and police scanners.
"Our plea to the public is to report if they may have bought stolen bicycles from these individuals," said Savinkoff, adding that while the name of the Kijiji account the offenders were using will not be revealed due to identify theft, the Facebook account being used by Smith under the name "Dragun Smith."
The CRU believes the pair are linked to numerous thefts stretching from Banff to Calgary.
Earlier this spring, the work of the CRU also led to the arrest of Mark Adam Forrest, 33, of Calgary in connection to a smattering of mail box thefts. Forrest was charged with 77 counts relating to mail theft.
"The goal is to get them to stop committing crimes," explained Singleton, adding that the CRU is developing a HUB program to connect offenders to the social services the may need such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation or housing assistance. The members also keep close tabs on their repeat offenders, especially the 10 identified habitual offenders who are at high risk to re-offend.
"The HUB program, the next phase and an exciting one for the Cochrane RCMP, allows us to partner with community support groups and external agencies to facilitate the opportunity for those who require support to receive it when they most need it," explained a proud Weare, crediting all partnering agencies, including Cochrane and Area Crime Watch for their "tireless efforts" in helping identify emerging crime trends and improving RCMP intelligence data base.
"I believe strongly in a wrap-around approach, which has appropriate agencies assisting those who want to make the choice for positive change in their lives."
Currently, the CRU are focusing on disrupting the flow of drugs in Cochrane schools, as well as the drug trade in Morley. The nearby Stoney-Nakoda Nation has two dedicated members and the community now has its own RCMP community office for members to work out of. A grand opening will soon take place at the office, which is in the building across from the Chiniki Gas Bar off Highway 1 in Morley.
The municipal budget funds two CRU members, as well as a full time crime analyst (civilian), while the province funds the other two member positions. The unit is based on proactive principles of nailing down repeat offenders through the intelligence-based work of the crime analyst and the dedicated CRU members.
"Cochrane's success is having an impact," said Staff Sgt. Tom Kalis, who was involved in a similar pilot program in Red Deer several years ago, as well as the roll out of the Habitual Offender Management Program in Whitecourt in 2015. "We are seeing a significant decrease in crime, and we are managing prolific offenders more closely. The strategy works thanks to co-operation among all detachment staff, community partners and the criminal justice system coming together to address fundamental causes of criminal activity."
"By directing enforcement and support towards the small number of offenders responsible for the majority of crime, we are succeeding in reducing overall crime and addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour."
