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Property crime stats down a third in Boyle

Repeat offenders continue to keep RCMP busy though 
Sgt Colin Folk Boyle RCMP headshot web
At the Village of Boyle’s Jan. 13 council meeting, Boyle RCMP Sgt. Colin Folk gave village councillors an update on some of the work members are undertaking to bring crime stats down. 

BOYLE - Property crimes in the Boyle area were down 34 per cent in the last quarter of the year, and property crime clearance rates have increased by 17 per cent. 

That’s some of what Boyle RCMP Sgt. Colin Folk had to tell village councillors at their Jan. 13 meeting, but despite the falling number of property crimes, the Boyle detachment is still very busy, he said. 

For instance, traffic enforcement has gone up by 20 per cent in the last quarter with members writing 197 traffic-related tickets. They have also been involved in executing search warrants on rural properties in the surrounding area, though nothing directly in the village. 

With mandates from Eastern Alberta District to drop crime stats by seven per cent and increase clearance rates by 21 per cent, Folk said he has put a few proactive measures in place to get that done. 

“I made it mandatory for every member of my detachment throughout this year to develop a source and write a search warrant on a rural property, or town property, pertaining to property crimes, to really focus on property crimes because we got our butts kicked last year, there's no doubt about it,” he said, adding the goal was nine, but members have already written 17, with a quarter of the year remaining. 

From there, the discussion took a turn to focus on repeat offenders, with mayor Colin Derko asking for some insight from Folk on the continued recidivism of offenders within the justice system. 

“It has got to be frustrating for you guys because it's super frustrating for me to see some of the stuff that comes out of our courts,” said Derko. “And then these guys steal a vehicle to go back home after they come to court, it's almost like a joke to some of these criminals.” 

Folk agreed it is frustrating, especially for the younger members “that put in the hard work and paperwork to get these guys and risk what they risk being out there and doing that,” but said it is essentially out of his hands. 

“My expectations for my guys is to submit the most quality professional work we can to the Crown prosecutors and let them do their job, and that's all we can do,” he said. “At the end of the day it's out of our control.” 

Derko said it’s important to continue to bring issues with the justice system to high-level politicians as much as possible because police are being blamed for offenders appearing back on the streets, when they actually do their jobs very well. 

“We appreciate what you do,” Derko said. “And honestly, I see what's going on, on both sides, and you guys are doing your job, you just have to do it 15 times over on the same guy, and that's a waste of time, a waste of resources, and a waste of taxpayers’ dollars. 

Folk also reported no public health violations of COVID-19 restrictions have occurred, but if their hand is forced, RCMP will issue a fine, though he said he would like to see a focus on education instead of enforcement. 

“We’re there to enforce it, but I think education is a big thing and frankly if we can keep educating people until these rules lighten up a bit, I think it's going to be better for everybody in the long run,” he said. “I just don't know how long we can put all our eggs in the education basket before we have to start doing some enforcement.” 

 

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