The Town of Bonnyville wants residents to know they’re listening when it comes to crime.
On Monday, April 16, representatives from the town, MD, Bonnyville RCMP, Bonnyville Victim Services, and the local Community Policing Committee, among others, will touch on a topic that is in the forefront of residents’ and council’s mind: local crime.
The crime prevention open house will be taking place at the Bonnyville Centennial Centre HUB, starting at 6 p.m.
The town’s goal is to provide a platform for residents to express their concerns, and learn more about what the RCMP, council, and other organizations are doing to keep the community safe.
“We’ve had an uptick in crime over the last two or three years. There’s a lot of frustration out there. We want to hear what people have to say, and hear some of the issues they’re having. We’re making a lot of strides with the provincial government right now, trying to offset and be able to resolve some of these crime issues. A lot of them are very extensive, but we still need to hear from the public, that’s very important to us,” expressed Mayor Gene Sobolewski.
Although there have been plenty of crime forums throughout the Lakeland, he feels there is one area that is truly lacking at these events.
“We have seen a lot of the rural crime forums, which are fantastic, but the one glaring deficiency we have noticed is that we don’t have a town perspective as to what’s going on and how a lot of the crime that’s occurring in town is related to a lot of the rural crime,” Sobolewski said.
What they’re hoping for is public feedback, and for residents to express their concerns about the continuing growth in crime throughout the town and MD.
“What we want to do is have a couple of opening remarks, and focus on the RCMP and some of their initiatives, but more importantly, focus on what people have to say in terms of their experiences and opinions, because that’s a component that seems more, in more cases than not, to fall by the wayside,” continued Sobolewski.
This is why they have decided to take their feedback opportunity to the next level.
Once the speakers have their opportunity to shine a light on their initiatives, residents will get the chance to ask questions. But the town is taking it one step further.
“We will have stations set up around the HUB from all of the various groups and individuals, and people will be able to freely wander around and ask questions, get information, or give feedback one-on-one,” explained assistant CAO for the Town of Bonnyville Bill Rogers.
Sobolewski said this is the time that truly matters for residents, because not only do they get to provide their feedback, but also get to share their stories.
“People are going to want that one-on-one dialogue. They’re going to want to tell their story, say their concerns, and have us respond.”
The forum is acting as a follow-up to the Community Policing Survey conducted in the fall. During the event, they will discuss the results of the survey, and their plans as they forge ahead.
“It’s also going to be bringing delegates from various crime prevention sectors together with the public to share information, tips, and report back on activities and things we have been doing in the way of crime prevention in the community. It’s a chance to have some good dialogue with residents,” explained Rogers.
The Bonnyville RCMP will be shedding some light on their annual performance plan, which focuses on crime prevention, youth crime, drugs, and habitual offender management.
A RCMP recruiter will be on-hand to talk about working with the federal police agency, along with a member of the Bonnyville General Investigation Service.
“It was important to council and the committee that we not have a format where people come in, sit down, and listen to what we have to say,” Rogers noted. “It was more important that we try to get some information out there about the efforts and activities for community policing initiatives we have going on right now, and the direction we’re thinking of going for the upcoming year.”
He continued, “Crime prevention in the community is just as important to council and the policing committee as it is to our residents. We think we’re making good progress in Bonnyville and that is wonderful. It’s a wonderful and safe place to live, but we want to be able to share information with our residents, exchange information with residents, and hear all of their concerns as well as let them know what we have been doing progress wise.”
