The Community
Press Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Volume 113, Issue 37
$1 Including GST
New local RCMP statistics show positive signs that property crime in decline from 2020 Leslie Cholowsky Editor
The Killam RCMP Detachment released its newest statistics recently, showing property crime has dropped in January and February 2021 over the same period in 2020. Break and Enter complaints saw the biggest drop from last year, with three fewer incidents reported, down to nine in total from last year’s 12. There has been one fewer motor vehicle theft, with three so far this year compared to four last year, and Theft over $5,000 has dropped from three by this time last year to just one. Theft under $5,000 incidents have stayed fairly static, with 17 reported last year, and 16 so far this year. Complaints of fraud are also
down, with eight, compared to 11 in 2020. Mischief reports are up from last year, with 16 incidents reported this year so far compared to nine in the same period of 2020. The Detachment recorded two assaults in February, down one from last February, with an uptick in Uttering Threats, with three complaints this February, and none last year at this time. The Killam Detachment has seen a rise in drug enforcement statistics, with two possession charges compared to none this time in the past two years, and two Cannabis Act charges, but one less Liquor Act charge. Reportable motor vehicle collisions are down considerably from this time in 2020, with 22 versus last year’s 41. This year’s number represent a five-year low
overall in property damage motor vehicle collisions over the first two months of the year. Injury motor vehicle collisions are down by one, with just one reported this year, compared to two this time last year. A spike was seen in false or abandoned 911 calls during the first part of 2021, with 13, compared to just four in 2020, while false alarms were down from eight to five, the lowest in the last five years. Suspicious persons or vehicle calls remained steady at 31, compared to 32 at this time last year. Recently Sgt. Colin Thorne told Flagstaff County Council, “This is one statistic we like to see go up.” RCMP continue to encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to police. Killam RCMP saw an increase
in the number of incidents of Failing to Comply or Breaching conditions, up five from last year with 10 total so far in 2021. Another unfavourable statistical rise was in pursuits, with two recorded in 2021 so far, compared to none the prior year during this period. Sgt. Thorne says that when viewing these statistics from a point of view of percentages up or down, it has to be noted that if one category has only four incidents last year, but two more this year, it’s up 150 per cent, explaining that when dealing with lower numbers, a slight increase or decrease can look quite a bit more dramatic and can skew the perception of the overall numbers. Killam RCMP have continued to provide bi-weekly crime reports throughout the pandemic, See RCMP P8
INSIDE THIS WEEK’S ‘PRESS COVID-19 in Flagstaff a year in review Page 2 & 27 Flagstaff County introduces a new podcast feature Page 22 Babies of 2020 Special Page Page 16
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Flagstaff County Council pivots on oil road transitions in response to delegation Leslie Cholowsky Editor
Forestburg-area resident Eva Fossen made a presentation to Flagstaff County Council during their virtual meeting, held Wednesday, March 10, regarding the County’s plan to begin transitioning the oiled road section on RR152 at ENE 34-31-41-15 to gravel. Fossen began her presentation by saying, “I have strong feelings about roads, particularly my oiled road slated for destruction.” She told Council she had lived 54 years at her present location, and when she received a letter from Public Works on Feb. 18, she was “appalled, to say the least.” Fossen gave Council some history of the road, saying it was rebuilt in 1999 or 2000, but then promptly fell apart because it had not been packed well enough. She said her husband got on the phone with a councillor of the day, and soon enough three packers worked on the road, it was re-oiled, “and has been
wonderful ever since.” Fossen said the road has held up very well, and told Council, “It has cost the county nothing, except time to fill small holes. There’s no grading, except for snow, and it continues to be as solid as when it was finished, except for some patches the County has dug up with graders.” Fossen told council that transitioning the road to gravel was, “Costing you money that shouldn’t be spent.” Fossen said her patch of road “has held up better than a lot of paved roads. Digging up a perfectly good heavy traffic road just doesn’t make sense. “It’s a big waste of money and not necessary. “I realize long-term planning must be done; but also that plans must be flexible.” She said when other conditions changes, plans should change in response. Fossen pointed to the section of oiled road from Sedgewick north to Sedgewick Lake Park, saying, “That oil has been left, and I really commend you. My road is a busy road, and that one would be busy, too. Making plans flexi-
ble is an important part of county business. “In these days of budget cuts and restraints, I urge you to save the money you would have spent on my road and use it for other demands, and I’m sure there are many.” She summed up her presentation by saying, “Seriously consider the wisdom of spending money on a project that no one in this area wants or needs.” Fossen also said she thought the transitioning had been put on hold when no action was taken last summer. Councillor Jeanette Herle asked Fossen after the presentation, “Is your present goal keeping the financial impact in mind and letting the road die with dignity?” Fossen replied by saying that she felt the road condition has not changed in the past five years, calling the planned work: “Digging up a road that isn’t dying.” Councillor Jeff Eckstrand asked, “If, one day, when the lifespan is complete, and the most viable financial solution is returning it to gravel, would you agree
at that time?” Fossen replied, “Yes, if it was falling apart I would certainly not be here.” Council discussed the issue at the end of their regular business. Councillor Howard Shield advised that he had also received communication from a ratepayer in his ward who indicated that she would like to present at Council’s next meeting regarding a road in that area; he asked, “Should we hold discussion until we’ve heard from both?” Reeve Don Kroetch responded, “The topic comes up when those letters go out. Over the last three years, our message has been consistent. Moving forward, I don’t know what has changed except for the area of the oiled road under discussion.” He added, “Over the last few years, there’s been different roads. The issue has been debated multiple times from different angles for the last 13 years. Do we want to pass the issue on to the next Council?” Councillor Erik Skoberg said, “A fair See ROADS P9