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‘Proactive’ citizens help keep crime rate low in Castor

Coronation RCMP still awaiting new commander
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By Emily Jaycox For the Advance

Castor town council received a report from RCMP in May that crime in town was on the decline, and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Sandi Jackson says that to her knowledge, that is still the case.

Traffic statistics have been consistent in the last year, and crimes rates are down.

“I think [Castor] is fairly safe,” said Jackson.

Policing priorities for 2018 have been traffic safety, crime reduction and employee wellness.

Castor is policed under the Coronation RCMP detachment.

The town didn’t receive an RCMP update at the end of September as they regularly would, according to Jackson.

This could be because the Coronation detachment is still awaiting a new commander, after the departure of Sgt. Darcy McGunigal in June, says Jackson.

Coronation is a limited post of four years and McGunigal was transferred to Edmonton.

The current Acting Sgt. is Sgt. Trent Cleveland, out of the Killam detachment.

Sgt. Cleveland did not respond by press time.

From January to May, there were four break-and-enters, 10 incidents of theft, and two drug-related charges were laid, according to Jackson.

Jackson says the town hasn’t received any word yet of when a new commander will be arriving.

The Coronation detachment has been short-handed and it covers a large area, says Jackson.

There is a satellite RCMP office in Castor.

A volunteer-based community night watch group was formed in Castor about a year-and-a-half ago, and has helped to prevent property crimes, says Jackson.

“Absolutely, there has been hardly any.”

The group was formed in response to a need, after several break-ins in the downtown area.

The group patrols the whole town, and since it was formed, break-ins have reduced, says Jackson.

READ MORE: Fed up with crime and lack of police presence Castor residents tackle crime

There has also been no vandalism in Castor in the past year, according to Jackson.

The Castor Nightwatch doesn’t engage with individuals suspected of criminal activity, but reports suspicious activity and vehicle information to the Coronation RCMP.

Citizens have also been responding to traffic violations.

“They have been proactive.”

Residents were “getting tired” of drivers speeding in town and going through stop signs, and have been writing down license plate numbers and reporting drivers to RCMP, says Jackson.

Jackson adds that if residents report a driver, they have to be willing to attend the court date, but if they do, generally the driver is ticketed.

Jackson has lived in the county of Paintearth for 38 years now.

“We certainly enjoy it here,” she said.

“It’s a great area to raise your kids.”

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