When thieves targeted her neighbour’s Millarville-area home in 2010 a former MD of Foothills councillor didn’t think twice.
Barb Castell stopped a break-in in progress while she was taking care of her vacationing neighbour’s house in January 2010.
Castell said there was a rash of break-ins in Priddis, Millarville and the surrounding areas at the time, and she noticed a strange vehicle parked outside the home. When the burglars realized Castell had caught them in the act, they tried to leave without speaking to her, but she confronted them in the front yard.
“I said, ‘can I help you?’, and they responded, ‘no, we’re OK,’” said Castell, who added that the men, that she estimated to be in their late teens or early 20s, did not frighten her.
The thieves were not apprehended immediately, but Castell said the RCMP did arrest them a month later.
“I felt angry, and I didn’t feel intimidated,” said Castell. “How dare they go into someone’s house and take their valuables?”
Turner Valley RCMP Sgt. Paulina Larrey-King said it’s natural for people to feel violated when someone breaks into their home. However, she said the public can play a proactive role in rural crime prevention by reporting crimes and keeping an eye out for their neighbours.
“We promote crime prevention programs like the High County Rural Crime Watch Association because they encourage citizens to become our eyes and ears.”
In 2014, the detachment attended 327 property crimes in their catchment region, which includes Turner Valley, Black Diamond, Millarville, Priddis and surrounding areas.
In 2013 and 2014, property crimes for the Turner Valley RCMP detachment were around 40 per cent of total crimes in the area, with a decrease of 20.4 per cent from 2013 to 2014.
To help protect themselves and prevent property crime, Larrey-King advises people make their homes secure by putting up a gate, locking their doors and ensuring their valuables are in a safety deposit box.
People should also take photos of special items and engrave expensive possessions, such as bikes, with their driver’s licence for identification.
M.D. of Foothills councillor and High Country Rural Crime Watch Association (HCRCWA) president Suzanne Oel said her organization became reactivated in 2010 after the significant number of break-ins in the region.
According to Oel, the HCRCWA helps connect residents to important crime prevention resources, tips and updates.
“I believe being involved in our community through our local crime watch will help make it a safer place,” said Oel. “It is very important that you get to know your neighbours to help identify suspicious activity and report it.
“Join the HCRCWA, membership is free due to a generous donation from Legacy Oil & Gas.”
Even though people employ crime prevention techniques to protect their properties, they could still become victims of a crime.
For 22 years, the Foothills Regional Victim Services has provided support, information and referrals for victims of crimes or tragedy in Southern Alberta.
The non-profit organization is partnered with RCMP detachments in Turner Valley, Okotoks, High River and Nanton, according to program manager Kerri Wilkinson.
“The RCMP offers to connect victims of crimes with our services, and if they consent, we contact them,” said Wilkinson. “As a followup, we touch base to see how they are coping and what supports they have in place.”
For more information or to volunteer visit foothillsvictimservices.com or call 403-652-2359. To sign up for the High Country Rural Crime Watch visit hcrcwa.ca.
