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WATCH: Red Deerians can have a say about crime fighting

Municipality will poll citizens about policing priorities

Red Deerians who are concerned about growing crime in the city will now have a say on how the RCMP tackles it.

For the first time, the City of Red Deer will be polling the public to gather feedback on what are the crime-related issues, what citizens want police to focus on, and which objectives should be prioritized in the annual policing plan.

The city will gather input from residents through telephone and online surveys, taken until April 6. There will be chances for citizens to offer verbal feedback at the Let’s Talk public forum with city officials April 7.

The best way to know what’s most important to citizens is to ask them, explained Red Deer Mayor Tara Veer, who added “engaging in meaningful conversations is critical when addressing complex issues like safety and policing.”

Funds to hire 10 additional officers were included in the 2018 municipal operating budget. While city council discussed making the formation of a downtown police foot patrol a requirement, Veer said nothing will be determined until the public is heard on the issue.

This is the third year an annual policing plan is being developed between the municipality and local RCMP detachment to make policing more pro-active rather than reactive. And Veer added council felt it timely to give the public a more direct say – especially knowing that crime and public safety is the No. 1 public priority.

The online survey is available at www.reddeer.ca/surveys until April 6. The phone survey will be offered to a random sample of local land lines and cellphone numbers.

“My council colleagues and I (also) look forward to exploring these issues with citizens at Let’s Talk,” said Veer. The annual event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 7 at the Parkland Mall.

Staff from numerous city departments and agencies will be there to answer questions about projects, programs and services that are offered by the city. For more information, please visit www.reddeer.ca/letstalk.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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