ATHABASCA – The successful completion of a months-long drug investigation at the end of July that netted charges against two Athabasca area men and confiscated 448 grams of cocaine and a stolen gun, was likely the highlight of the summer for Athabasca RCMP.
Local RCMP served warrants on two residences, one in the Town of Athabasca, the other in Athabasca County on July 28, where they found the cocaine, two kilograms of illicit cannabis, a stolen Glock 9mm pistol, a conductive energy weapon and $22,000 in cash, which went a long way to making the Athabasca area a safer place to be for everyone to be, said Athabasca RCMP Const. Jay Tessier Sept. 7.
In comparison, the 797 calls for service members responded to between July 6 and Sept. 6 each did the same, just in smaller strides.
Among the more serious calls was the shooting of an individual in his lower leg in Calling Lake July 28; five additional assaults involving a weapon calls, one with a rolling pin and another a handful of Cheezies; and 18 other plain assault calls, most of which were domestic incidents. There were also 19 calls reporting threats being directed at someone.
On the property crime side, Tessier said there had been five reports of theft over $5,000 that saw a cargo trailer, generators, two lawn tractors and cash stolen from different locations throughout the detachment area. There were also 24 reports of theft under $5,000 over the summer months.
Fifteen reports of break and enter also came in those 60 days including three to a business, three to a cottage and nine to residences. There were also five calls regarding the possession of proceeds of crime over $5,000; seven vehicle thefts; three frauds over $5,000 and eight under — these included cheque fraud and an online romance scam.
Members were also involved in finding two individuals who were unlawfully at large, two others who fled from the police, and 26 more who had breached their court conditions.
More than 50 calls for mischief were received ranging from damaging property to obstructing the enjoyment of others and then 13 other calls regarding shots being fired, also known as careless use of a firearm.
Two investigations into alleged defamatory libel also resulted in one charge. Two other calls regarding harassing communications also came into the detachment. All four of these were related to online interactions, said Tessier.
RCMP also responded to four serious vehicle collisions on area roads in that time that resulted in injuries, including a tanker rollover in August.
Members also responded to 22 Mental Health Act calls and wrapped up six missing persons cases, with all six individuals being found with relative ease. They were also called 37 times to investigate suspicious people or vehicles.
In addition, Athabasca RCMP members served the public by performing 32 well-being checks and were called to assist the general public 23 times. There were also 21 instances of assisting other agencies. There were also 42 911 hang-ups and 21 false alarms.
