RCMP presents Insp. Lauren Weare with Cochrane RCMP was on deck to present 2017 crime stats and an overview of where the detachment is at with respect to budget boosts to hire more staff to implement crime reduction strategies and intake backlog. While most areas of crime, including traffic, generally maintained the status quo relative to growth – with the exception of property crimes, including theft, vehicle theft and break and enter, which are on the rise. As per boosts provided in the municipal budget this year, the detachment has 20 regular members and seven municipal employees supporting line front officers. The RCMP "cop to pop" ratio has climbed to 1: 1,315; the goal is to be 1: 1,000 over the next few years. From 2016 to 2017, there was an overall four per cent call volume increase. Total calls last year were 19,340, with 8,131 calls for service. Weare pointed to a number of agencies that the RCMP works closely with, namely Cochrane and Area Victim Services (CAVS) – an organization that has seen tremendous growth. Due to demand and an increased public presence, CAVS opened 790 new files last year. The detachment is increasing its public engagement with local schools, including presentations, programs, emergency lockdown drills and a partnership with Alberta Health Services and local high schools called the "Party Program" – public education around impaired driving. This year, funding boosts will translate to a dedicated youth liaison officer working in the schools. The RCMP continues to develop its Crime Reduction Unit, including the recent acquisition of a crime analyst. Weare commended her team for their early successes, including bait vehicles and the incarceration of habitual offenders following a significant number of arrests made. The RCMP will work toward reducing rising rural crime and to improve cross-jurisdictional collaborations. The detachment will be producing a public facing crime map, expanding on increasing public engagement. Mayor Jeff Genung and council were very receptive to the presentation, commending the detachment for such initiatives as the Crime Reduction Unit and the recent spree of arrests made as they relate to vehicle thefts and the crime map. Coun. Marni Fedeyko's asked if a town hall meeting to address such concerns as rural crime, and the policing resources shared with Morley should be held – with reference to a recent town hall held in Airdrie. Weare advised that she is cautious when it comes to comparing communities but would be "very open to something like a town hall if it was appropriate." Sgt. Tom Kalis was on deck to present with Weare. He was hired earlier this year to work on crime reduction. Kalis said that public engagement is a big piece of crime reduction, including simple common sense measures such as not leaving vehicles running in driveways. Cannabis Retailers: line ups anticipated First come, first served. This is how hopeful cannabis retailers will apply to open up shop in Cochrane on Oct. 1. Applications will be reviewed in a two-queue process – in the order they are received and for completeness. Coun. Morgan Nagel questioned the fairness of this process, noting that he sees his responsibility as "supporting a business environment that is fair to everyone." He is concerned that applicants who are unable to come forward on Oct. 1 will miss an opportunity to come out of the gate and the community will have an oligopoly of sorts. Riley Welden, manager of planning services for the town, advised that planning is anticipating a line up on the application day and that processing will not commence until the Canada-wide date of legalization on Oct. 17. He added due to the 150-metre setbacks, the potential is between four and six cannabis retailers in Cochrane. To date, the town has received a number of inquiries and is anticipating a line up. Council passed an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw on Monday night – an oversight in the bylaw as it relates to development permits. All cannabis retailers must apply for a development permit and adhere to the the town's setbacks and restrictions regarding location, signage and hours of operation as these criteria align with the parameters set by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Control – the licensing authority for cannabis retailers. Annexing more lands An open house is set for Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. in council chambers, regarding the proposed land annexation by the Town of Cochrane from Rocky View County. Following an agreement in principle between the two parties, the town is looking to formally submit its annexation proposal to the province before the end of October in order for the process to be completed by the spring of 2019. The annexation includes two parcels of land: the 158 acres located north of Heritage Hills, of which 30 acres will be reserved for a future Rocky View Schools high school site and the remainder will be town lands identified as suitable for recreational purposes including sports fields. The second parcel of land was added earlier this year: a 40-acre parcel of land located north of Sunset Ridge and identified as necessary for the Sunset builder, Melcor, to provide a secondary access into the community of over 5,000 residents. This access would be imperative for any future subdivision approvals sought by the developer. Helping Hands Jackie Shier, executive director of Helping Hands, appealed to council for a $20,000 annual operating budget ask beginning next year. Showcasing the 11-year history of the society that seeks to help the town's vulnerable population and mans the twice annual food drive, Shier has made a case for council's consideration later this fall during budget deliberations. The vulnerable population namely includes low-income seniors, single-parent families, newcomers, persons with disabilities and people with chronic health issues. Highlights include the town's growth in its senior population – up 135 per cent over the last decade and a 60 per cent increase from 2015 to 2017 in Helping Hands volunteers, with 1,049 helpers rolling up their sleeves last year. The annual operating budget for the organization next year is $105,000, which Shier said is a "lean" budget. Outside of the spring and fall food drives, Helping Hands helps vulnerable citizens through their various programming including volunteer drivers; meal makers; snow helpers; summer do crew; newcomer helpers and caring neighbours. Demand for programming and service continues to rapidly increase and the organization is asking for town assistance to meet demand. The organization will be hosting a fundraising benefit concert featuring local singer/songwriter Lucas Chaisson on Oct. 13 at St. Andrew's United Church at 7 p.m. Tourism The Cochrane Tourism Association (CTA) presented its vision to Cochrane, following the results of its spring survey that generated more than 500 responses. The association, with the help of a working group, is looking to build Cochrane's tourism brand and tailor what makes Cochrane a unique tourist destination through marketing. Content development and creating tourism products would be incorporated into the plan. Learn more about the survey and the CTA at cochrane-tourism.ca.
