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RCMP aim to reconnect with the community post-COVID

First Responders Rally Baseball Game in Westlock Aug. 7
WES RCMP 2020 IMG_1608
Members of the Westlock RCMP will join other First Responders including EMS, firefighters and town and county peace officers for a fun baseball game with community residents Aug. 7.

WESTLOCK — Area residents will have a chance to reconnect with the community, get to know their neighbours and enjoy a ball game during the First Responders Rally Baseball Game.      

Westlock RCMP are teaming up with other first responders on the ball diamond Aug. 7, for the inaugural event that will be held behind the local RCMP detachment and gets underway at 4 p.m.

Members of the community, including those from the town, county and from across the region are invited to drop by with a ball and a glove to participate in the family-focused event and take on the first responders in a fun game of baseball. 

“The Town of Westlock was thriving pre-COVID and this just (a chance) to get back at it, learn what we can do in our community, what our community offers and get everyone talking with one another,” said Westlock RCMP Const. Jarrett Taylor. “It’s about getting the community out to know our neighbours again.”  

The event will feature a team of first responders including town and county peace officers, EMS, paramedics, firefighters, and RCMP members. There will also be fire trucks and emergency vehicles on site as well as RCMP and other first responders available to meet and greet residents.   

“I’ve asked the Town of Westlock and county firefighters to come out as well and they can give information on recruiting and what they do in their day-to-day job as well, on top of volunteer firefighting,” said Taylor.

There will be a barbecue with food and drinks available at a cost, presented by the Westlock Citizens on Patrol, noted Taylor. All proceeds raised from the barbecue will go back into the local organization.

“We usually try once a year to get the Citizens on Patrol out for a fundraiser to help with costs associated with Citizens on Patrol — they’re organizing the barbecue,” said Taylor, noting he is RCMP liaison for the two Westlock County Citizens on Patrol groups and works to keep them updated about what’s going on in the community and helps with events and helps them stay connected with the RCMP.  

The community baseball game will be also be a good opportunity for area citizens to talk with first responders and RCMP members in an informal setting to discuss issues or ask any questions they may have.   

“Although this is a ball game that we’re having we’re encouraging people to come forward and talk to the RCMP members that are there for any concerns they have about policing or crime in the area,” said Westlock RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Baird. “Or if they just want to talk with them to come up and approach them and have a conversation one on one with them.”  

Community engagement is an important aspect of the baseball game, noted Baird, adding it will be an enjoyable time for families and everyone in the community.

“We want people to feel free to engage the members that are there and talk with them,” he said. “If there’s something they like that we’re doing they can tell us or if there’s something they’d like to see us do in the community, they can tell us that,” explained Baird. “Even though this is a ball game, we want to let people know to feel free to come and ask us these types of questions.”             

Taylor said they are considering hosting the event again next year and possibly others in the future.  

“We’ve also discussed a fall version of it so instead of a baseball game it would be a shinny or a hockey game,” said Taylor.

Kristine Jean, TownandCountryToday.com


Kristine Jean

About the Author: Kristine Jean

Kristine Jean joined the Westlock News as a reporter in February 2022. She has worked as a multimedia journalist for several publications in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta, and enjoys covering community news, breaking news, sports and arts.
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