ATHABASCA - The Town of Athabasca has reduced the amount of money it will provide via its Surveillance Camera Rebate Program.
At their Feb. 18 meeting, councillors voted to drop the annual allocation from $2,500 to $1,000 — councillors had previouslyl directed administration during 2020 budget discussions to bring back the policy with the amendment.
Interim chief administrative officer Rachel Ramey said the decision was made due to the fact they had only received 10 applications for the rebate during the 2019 budget year.
The policy was originally approved by council July 16, 2019 in order to establish a program for business owners and residents to allow them to install video surveillance cameras on their properties. According to the policy, the town offers a one-time rebate of $50 per premise, and as a result of the amendment will be funded to a maximum of $1,000 per year on a first come, first serve basis.
Athabasca Citizens on Patrol president Rod Kerr said despite the lack of applications in 2019, he wouldn’t call this program a failure.
“It’s a start,” Kerr explained. “Just the fact that (the town) did anything to combat the issue of rural crime is a very positive thing.”
He said he didn’t feel the program was aimed at any kind of success or failure.
“I think it was an attempt by the town to help people place cameras in their places or residence or business,” Kerr continued. “It was certainly better than nothing, and it’s not a bad deal if you can get $50 for putting a camera up at their place.”
He added the lack of applications could be due to the tremendous amount of public apathy within the community.
“I can’t really say how many people knew about it or were even interested in it,” Kerr said. “There’s been quite a bit of crime happening in this town, but the people do not seem to be as alarmed about it as they should be.”
He mentioned a bunch of thefts from some vehicles up at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
“I received this straight from the RCMP,” Kerr stated. “They’ve even asked the Athabasca COP to patrol up there due to the theft.”
Kerr added that public awareness is always the key to combating rural crime.
“If people don’t know what’s happening, why would they take preventative measures?” he said. “I even know of some people who have had their place broken into throughout the winter.”
Bryan Taylor, TownandCountryToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BryanTaylorNews
