Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Vol. 43, No. 11
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YOUR LOCAL PAPER
RCMP hear from upset residents at Bruce meeting Patricia Harcourt Editor
RCMP heard from upset residents at a "Meet with the RCMP" meeting at the Bruce Seniors Centre Tuesday, March 3, who are dealing with property crimes in their area. It was also an opportunity for the police to demonstrate the new Trace Pen technology and answer residents' questions and concerns. Viking RCMP's Cpl. Brad Mouland, Cst. Cory Tourand and Cst. Chris Purvis attended, as well as Community Peace Officer Rick Ells. Mouland started with an open session. "We want to hear what's on everyone else's minds here," he said, stating the police have been busy in the area "tackling property crime offences and talking to people." Although it may be a perception of those attending, Mouland said that crime is actually not going up locally. That applies to the 'number one' calls made to police for property crimes, which he recognized as a "hot button" topic for Bruce residents. "It seems shocking," he said, but stolen vehicles are "significantly lower now." The police cross referenced the files to check it and "it's true."
The same holds for theft under $5,000, incidents of stolen fuel, among others. "You hear more about it now but the categories are going down." Person's crimes went up 16 per cent and break and enters are up three per cent, but the actual numbers are so small that this means a very small increase. Dale Collison asked how many suspects are arrested for crimes and turned loose again, which was a common theme at the meeting. Mouland said drug addiction is a major factor in the crimes being committed in the area. "They steal to buy drugs," he said, adding that 1,000 new beds are being added for addiction and recovery but the closest for this will be in Lloydminster. "Hopefully that works and helps people with those issues," he said. He informed the crowd about the "beefed up" Occupiers' Liability Act. The changes eliminate the liability for law abiding property owners when protecting their property against trespassers who are, or are believed to be, committing a criminal act. The law includes a five fold increase for maximum fines of up to $10,000 for a first violation and $25,000 for any offences after that, and a possible six months in prison. "Viking RCMP have discovered that for this law to See RURAL CRIME P16
Cst. Tourand (standing at right) shows people at the Bruce Seniors Centre how serial numbers can be detected in stolen property with Trace Pen technology. The pens will help with returning of stolen property and enhance evidence for charging thieves.
Viking hemp plant plans will not proceed Patricia Harcourt Editor
A new business venture based on producing hemp products in a local manufacturing plant will not proceed, according to Viking Mayor Jason Ritchie. Rajan Ahluwalia, founder and CEO of Ultimate Hemp World Inc., was working with the Town of Viking to start a business in the eastern end of the town's industrial park. Ahluwalia received permission from the town to start working on getting a plant up and running that could produce paper from hemp, and other products from the seeds of the plant. Hemp is a cannabis plant but does not have TCH properties like marijuana. As well as the paper mill, the project was to include a hemp food factory and a greenhouse for food growing. Mayor Ritchie announced last Friday, however, that Ahluwalia moved out of the Civic Building and has left town, abandoning the project. "The land was never transferred to him (Ahluwalia)," said Ritchie. "It was never finalized. He pulled out at the end of February and is no longer continuing the lease for the Civic building. "Officially he's gone and moved out of town," said the mayor, adding: "The land is still ours."
Cpl. Brad Mouland, Viking RCMP Detachment Commander, reads off some of the statistics provided to the those in attendance.