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RCMP asks people for public feedback on 2022-23 policing priorities
January 18, 2022 By Jenna Hamilton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, with files from Vincent McDermott
Jan. 17, 2022, Fort McMurray, Alta. – People living in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region are being asked to complete a survey on the Wood Buffalo RCMP’s policing priorities for 2022-23.
The community policing survey runs until Feb. 14. The survey is designed to help the RCMP set their annual priorities based on what community feedback identifies as important.
More than 700 people responded to the survey last year, with 362 people calling property crime their biggest concern. Superintendent Mark Hancock said in a Monday statement that police leadership was impressed with the responses from last year’s survey.
“To me, it’s crucial that community members have a chance to share their thoughts about policing issues. Their insight is valuable to the work we do and helps us stay on the right track,” he said.
Wood Buffalo RCMP chose five different objectives to focus on throughout 2021 and 2022. The top priority was cutting property crime by five per cent. Four projects involving investigations were also approved to cut crime, but Hancock could not give specific details about those projects during a town hall last May.
Other priorities from last year’s survey included:
PACT is a partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) and police detachments. The program involves partnering healthcare and mental health workers with officers during some calls. Police services in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Grande Prairie already operate these teams.
The survey’s results will be reviewed by the RCMP, the mayor and council, and policing committees before being released in the RCMP’s Annual Performance Plan.
– Fort McMurray Today
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