Battlefords RCMP officers Const. Andrea Hepburn, left, and Const. Jordan MacKenzie are among the members taking part in the community patrols. The  RCMP are conducting both foot and bike patrols throughout the summer. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)    

By Angela Brown

Community Connections

RCMP friendly patrols aim to connect with community, prevent crime

Jun 30, 2020 | 3:22 PM

The Battlefords RCMP are busy on the streets getting to know residents and businesses as part of their friendly patrol work this summer.

Taking a patrol along 100 Street, a couple of officers gave residents bottles of water to keep people hydrated on a recent walkabout.

One of the objectives of the Battlefords RCMP annual performance plan was to engage in community safety patrols – whether that is through foot patrols or bike patrols.

RCMP Sgt. Colin Sawrenko said officers participating in these patrols have received a good response from the community.

“Basically what we want to address is essentially community visibility – obviously to make a community safer police should be visible,” he said.

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He said police have been stopping at various locations primarily in the downtown core, “and chatting with businesses and citizens passing by.”

He said the effort helps officers become more involved in the local community.

“So far the feedback has been very positive,” Sawrenko said. “It started this fiscal year – April 1 of 2020. The program will run up until the end of the fiscal year [March 31, 2021]. There is no reason why it couldn’t extend beyond that into the upcoming fiscal years as well. It is just something that obviously police visibility can’t hurt.”

Const. Andrea Hepburn has been taking part in the community patrols.

“It seems like the business owners really appreciate it,” she said. “We had a good time doing it. I think it is a great initiative.”

Freedom Skateboards and Snowboards owner Alanna Tucker in North Battleford said she appreciates being able to meet the RCMP officers conducting foot patrols, and visiting businesses downtown.

“I think it is always good to have a presence,” she said. “It’s nice they are walking around.”

Tucker has been proactive to prevent crime at her shop.

A number of years ago she had a break in, but after installing store-front shutters for her business’ door and windows she hasn’t had any notable issues since.

“That was the final straw,” Tucker said of her decision to make the store more impenetrable to any would-be offenders.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW