County continuing with enhanced policing for Beaverlodge area
By Herald-Tribune staff

Chasing down cases of industrial vandalism keeps the County of Grande Prairie three enhanced RCMP officers based in Beaverlodge busy, Sgt. Dave MacKay told county councillors Monday.

MacKay met briefly with council to discuss the current policing situation after council approved continuing the enhance policing contract for another three years.

The additional officers were brought in three years ago in response to the rash of oilpatch vandalism that Wiebo Ludwig was convicted of in 2000. The initial contract ended in March.

Vandalism is the main focus of the three officers funded by the county, he said. Although based out of the Beaverlodge detachment, they investigate incidents throughout the county, however, much of the work comes from the west end of the municipality.

Most recently the investigation into $1 million arson of logging equipment 10 kilometres northwest of Hythe in August has used a considerable amount of the officers' time, he said.

Officers also perform general duties such as highway traffic patrolling.

The additional manpower at the detachment allows the RCMP to run initiatives such as the DARE program and restorative community justice.

"We can undertake a lot more pro-active endeavours," MacKay told council.

Reeve Roy Borstad asked if the federal government's talk of more security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States has filtered down to any indication of more policing being on the way.

MacKay said he was optimistic they would see more police for the area. The only other issue he raised with council was the need for an additional clerical position because of the added workload created by the additional officers, which the detachment isn't being funded for.

Council plans to raise that issue when it meets with RCMP officials during the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and County's fall conference in November.