On January 20, 2010, Barb Castell stopped a break-in in progress at her neighbour’s home in the Millarville area.
Due to her strong sense of responsibility, Castell, a former M.D. of Foothills councillor, came upon the crime in progress while taking care of her vacationing neighbour’s house.
During that time, Castell said there was a rash of break-ins in Priddis, Millarville and the surrounding areas.
That day, as Castell pulled into the driveway of their house, she noticed a strange vehicle parked in their yard.
At first, she did not realize that burglars were inside the home, but was then overcome with a suspicious feeling prior to confronting the two men who were attempting to break in to the house.
When the burglars realized Castell had caught them in the act, they tried to leave without speaking to her.
Castell 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.
Castell noted that they did not have a weapon as they drove off, so she followed them in her vehicle in order to find out in which direction they would flee.
While in pursuit, Castell attempted to call 911, but her cellphone call did not connect.
“They started speeding, so I didn’t feel comfortable following them any longer, and I drove to the Priddis gas station to call the RCMP,” said Castell. “The police didn’t think it was a good idea (that I pursued the criminals), and they said I was lucky that they weren’t armed.”
“I wanted to help my neighbours because I was responsible for taking care of their home while they were away.”
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?”
Those feelings are natural, according to Turner Valley RCMP detachment Sgt. Paulina Larrey-King.
Larrey-King said she would like the public to 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,” Oel added. “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.
