A friend (and St. Albert neighbour) recently told me of a disturbing incident she encountered many weeks ago. She was at her home one morning, when two rather suspicious characters showed up at her front door looking for bottles or cans they could use for generating some revenue for their hockey team.
Her “sixth sense” told her something wasn’t right, and after asking a few questions, she was convinced these two characters were lying to her. She closed the front door, and went about her daytime tasks, however, about five minutes later, she looked out the front window.
At this point, she witnessed these two same men entering the garage of a house across the street. As she watched, one of them gained access to the house, and opened the front door to let his friend in as well. Convinced she was watching a crime in progress, she called the local RCMP office to alert the police. Once she explained what was happening, the RCMP officer noted that “it’s not illegal to enter a garage.” She was puzzled about this comment, and then repeated her concern that she was witnessing a crime in progress.
At this point, the officer pointed out that she had no real proof that a crime was occurring, and he suggested that she walk over to the house in question and try to confirm a crime was underway. Further, after she did this investigation, if she was still convinced a crime was happening, she was told to call back to the RCMP office and advise them accordingly.
In total frustration, she hung up on the officer and went around her house making sure all the windows and doors were locked. What is so disturbing about this event is the police recommendation for her to “check out” what was happening — advice that is the opposite of regular police advice to citizens, which warns them not to take the law into their own hands, and stay out of dangerous situations.
A second police-related event occurred a few weeks ago, when the Alberta government cancelled the police training facility that was to be built in Fort MacLeod. The government spokesman said the decision was made after they learned that the Calgary Police Service, the Edmonton Police Service, the Association of Chiefs of Police in Alberta, the RCMP, and numerous other police organizations all stated that such a facility was not required. What really confuses me about this issue is the fact that one assumes a police training facility is built as a result of a request from the police that such a facility is needed. After all, other than the police, who else would care about whether or not this facility was constructed? However, if the police don’t want the training centre either, then tell me who originally supported this idea back when the decision was being made? This is hardly surprising — it’s not the first time in human history a government worked extremely hard in order to satisfy absolutely no one.
A third and final event also relates to police work. The first two examples should cause the average citizen to be concerned. But this example will put all of your fears to rest, for our safety is now being guaranteed by none other than our gunslinger mayor, “Cowboy Crouse” (or as his friends call him, “Nevada Nolan”).
The mayor used Facebook to launch a search for a suspect believed to be involved in setting numerous fires in St. Albert. I’m already sleeping easier. One can only hope that the mayor’s crime initiative will be followed up with the mayor handing out speeding tickets, arresting litterers, and solving kidnapping cases. With the mayor’s commitment and renowned energy, we should be able to stamp out all crime in our fair city. Just imagine — the world’s first city with its own, real-life Batman. The dream shall never die.
St. Albert Council is yet to approve Brian’s suggestion for a new city slogan: “St. Albert – As Close To Heaven As You’ll Ever Get.” He hopes for an answer, and a royalty payment, soon.
