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News & Events
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Police Advisor
Fall 2003 Edition
Message from Chief Jack Beaton
Welcome to the 2003 fall edition of the Police Advisor, now in its ninth year of publication.
This issue is filled with information about current Calgary Police Service initiatives, as well as many suggestions related to the important role you, as citizens, play in helping us to achieve our mission of maintaining Calgary as a safe place to live, work and visit. We believe meaningful input from the community is essential to the basic premise of community policing, a philosophy the Calgary Police Service adopted 30 years ago. Community policing is the process of working with the community to define its policing needs and ensure that those needs are met.
In this context, we don't view "the community" as just a geographical area, but as many specific groups of interest, including minority groups, seniors, business owners and school populations, to name just a few.
We strongly believe that if we are to successfully address crime and safety concerns, we must establish meaningful and ongoing communication between our Police Service and the community we serve.
Police Advisor helps the Calgary Police Service keep in touch with citizens
The Police Advisor newspaper is just one way we communicate with citizens. The Advisor is published each spring and fall and distributed to 140,000 Calgary homes through the generous co-sponsorship of EnCana and the Calgary Herald, with an additional 20,000 distributed through our district offices and community stations. All articles are also posted on our website after publication. We also receive and respond to about 250 e-mails each month generated through our website, www.calgarypolice.ca. We provide monthly articles to community newsletters and city magazines updating citizens on police initiatives and crime prevention tips.
Our Community Resource Teams regularly bring together representatives from police and municipal and governmental partners to discuss and strategize on community problems requiring multi-agency resources. And 33 community liaison officers act as the Service's ambassadors to residents, businesses and schools.
They provide a key point of contact for community-policing initiatives and problem-solving.
Citizen survey focuses policing priorities
Every two years we commission an independent company to conduct a citizen survey, asking questions relating to citizen satisfaction with the Calgary Police Service, public perception of safety in our city and the top policing priorities of citizens. The most recent survey was conducted in June 2003.
You told us that your top policing priorities are illegal gang activity and organized crime, followed by traffic violations, drug law enforcement, house break and enters and finally, theft. In this issue of the Advisor, we have included articles describing some of the ways we are addressing these issues and how you can help.
To supplement existing police patrols in the city's downtown core, a special operational team of officers patrolling on foot was formed on August 15. An article in this issue explains the role of this eight-officer team.
Organized crime didn't register as a top priority in the last survey. This time, equal numbers of citizens named organized crime and illegal gang activity first when asked for their top three policing priorities. High-end vehicle thefts, credit card fraud and the trafficking and manufacturing or cultivation of illegal drugs are just some of the activities that organized crime is involved in. An article on this page discusses a $3.5 million provincial government initiative that unites the Calgary Police Service, the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP in a collaborative front against organized crime.
For several years, we've included information in the Advisor specifically aimed at potential applicants to the Calgary Police Service. We encourage men and women of all backgrounds and cultures and from all walks of life to consider a rewarding and exciting career in policing. At this link, several officers tell in their own words why they enjoy the challenges of policing.
As always, I welcome your thoughts about the Police Advisor or any other issue you'd like to discuss. I encourage you to e-mail your comments to cps@calgarypolice.ca or fax us at 216-5358.
New joint policing unit tackles organized crime
While the phrase "organized crime" evokes an image of problems in much larger cities than Calgary, the fact is that organized crime exists wherever there's an easy opportunity to make money.
"Drugs are a prime example," says Inspector Brian Skeet with the Calgary Police Service's Organized Crime Control Unit. "The trafficking and manufacturing or cultivation of drugs occurs in practically every neighbourhood, and brings inherent negative economic, social and financial consequences. Those drugs are almost always linked to organized crime."
Vehicle insurance premiums are also affected by organized crime activities. "A percentage of every policy is directly related to the auto theft problem," Insp. Skeet says. "Organized crime is involved in most high-end vehicle thefts."
Many false claims for injuries are also perpetrated by organized crime groups. Other related activities include credit card fraud, identity theft and other crimes with high-reward and low-risk.
Recognizing the province-wide scope of the problem, Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth announced a $3.5 million initiative last summer that will bring the Calgary Police Service, the Edmonton Police Service and the RCMP together to fight organized crime.
The Integrated Response to Organized Crime Unit (IROC) will be supported by Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA), an agency that collects, analyses and distributes information on criminals to police agencies.
Insp. Skeet says the unit was formed for several reasons. "First and foremost, the lengthy investigations into the upper levels of organized crime take significant time and resources over and above what an individual police service can manage. Three policing partners working together will be much more effective than they would individually."
The multi-agency IROC unit consists of four eight-member teams fighting organized crime groups involved in activities including car theft, illegal drugs, fraud, identity theft and money laundering.
IROC will enhance the work of existing units within the individual policing agencies and provide the additional resources needed to address organized crime. It will also further strengthen the well-established collaborative relationship between policing agencies in Alberta.
Arrests made in the first six months of 2003 by a specialized Calgary Police Service gang task force demonstrate the effectiveness targeted operations have on organized crime in the city.
Working closely with the RCMP and CISA, the task force made more than 80 arrests, laid 381 charges and seized almost $4 million worth of illegal drugs, cash and property.
Pedestrians can't take right of way for granted
People who walk city streets, just like those who drive, have a responsibility to always be aware of what's going on around them.
"Pedestrians should not take their safety in a crosswalk for granted," says Inspector Bill Sherlock of the Calgary Police Service. "The law says that pedestrians have the right of way, but that doesn't do you much good when you've been hit by a moving vehicle."
When approaching a crosswalk, pedestrians should pause at the curb to ensure drivers see them, indicate their wish to cross by extending their arm, and allow traffic to clear the intersection before proceeding. "Most of it is common sense," says Sergeant Ted McCauley, "because things change in a hurry."
If a car is parked where you're crossing, Sgt. McCauley says to make sure the car is not about to drive away, and then walk to the edge of the car, checking to see if it's safe.
When at a controlled crossing, pedestrians should follow the walk signals. And in the dark, pedestrians should take extra precautions and wear brightly coloured or reflective clothing. Regardless of the time or place, intersections and streets are dangerous places for pedestrians.
Pedestrians need to watch for approaching traffic as they begin to cross into each lane. Just because some traffic has stopped does not mean it is safe to cross all lanes.
Pedestrians should use the same basic safety rules at LRT crossings, but should keep in mind the limited stopping abilities of a heavy train.
"They can't stop as fast as cars do; they're not as manoeuvrable," Sgt. McCauley says. "Give them extra space to stop and go."
Increased fines hoped to bump up safety
"We're getting a lot of feedback on tailgating," says Cst. Mike O'Connor of the Traffic Section. "Tailgaters may not be involved in a collision, but can cause someone else to be in one. We ask people to really pay attention while driving. They're operating 1,000 kilogram vehicles that can be very lethal."
The fine for tailgating was one of many that increased dramatically with the implementation of the new provincial Traffic Safety Act (TSA) on May 20, 2003.
Under the new act, the fine for tailgating is $287, up from $69 under the old fine system. The violation will also result in four demerit points.
The new fine for failing to wear a seatbelt is $115, up from the old fine of $69. The same penalty applies for improper installation of a child car seat.
"We're finding a lot more people with car seats are attending car seat clinics to make sure their seats are installed properly because of the increased fines," says Cst. O'Connor.
Many other fines have also increased under the TSA. For instance, failing to stop at a stop sign now costs drivers $250, up from the previous $69. And the fines for failing to yield for a pedestrian in a crosswalk or passing a vehicle at a crosswalk increased to $575 from $69. This means you can be fined for proceeding when the pedestrian is approaching your vehicle. You may proceed once the pedestrian has crossed in front of your vehicle.
It's important to note that every intersection in Calgary without traffic lights is considered a pedestrian crosswalk. Pedestrians in Calgary have the right of way at all times.
Offence
Failure to stop for a red light/stop sign
Failure to stop for a yellow light
Failure to obey traffic control device
Failure to yield to a pedestrian
Failure to yield to a pedestrian in crosswalk
Passing a stopped vehicle in a crosswalk
Speeding - 15 km over limit
Speeding - 20 km over limit
Speeding - 30 km over limit
Parking infractions (too close to fire hyrdrant etc.)
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Old Fine
$69
$69
$60
$60
$60
$60
$68
$86
$122
$36
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New Fine
$250
$100
$100
$100
$575
$575
$78
$108
$154
$50
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Traffic safety needs public support
Calgary drivers are being asked to remember a couple of simple rules when behind the wheel to help prevent traffic fatalities.
"People have to realize this is a big city and traffic congestion is a fact," says Inspector Bill Sherlock, head of the Traffic Section.
"Plan a little extra time for your trip. Focus on your driving; avoid distractions. Be polite and courteous behind the wheel, and add that little extra distance
between your car and the car in front of you. It's not going to make that much difference in your travel time. Is two minutes really worth your own life ? or somebody else's?"
By early October, vehicle collisions in Calgary had resulted in 40 deaths in 2003, compared to 32 fatalities for all of 2002.
Many collisions occur in intersections. In 2001, the Calgary Police Service introduced red light cameras, which have proven to reduce right-angle collisions in intersections controlled by traffic lights.
The Service added 10 new red light camera locations in August. By the end of 2003, the Service will have 24 cameras rotating through 36 locations.
Visit www.calgarypolice.ca for a list of red light camera locations. The program is one element of the Calgary Police Service's overall traffic safety strategy, which combines engineering, education and enforcement to help change driver attitudes and behaviours.
The number of right-angle collisions dropped by 39 per cent at the first seven intersections with red light cameras in the first year.
And, since the cameras were installed, there have been no fatal collisions at any of the intersections included in the first phase. All this was achieved, despite a 6.3 per cent increase in traffic over the same period.
"Right angle collisions are the cause of most serious injury and fatal collisions," Insp. Sherlock says. "That's what you get at intersections. We're trying to achieve voluntary compliance to the rules of the road. If you can stop, stop."
Studies confirm that red light cameras dramatically decrease the number of drivers running red lights.
The cameras are also in use in many other Canadian jurisdictions. Sergeant Clive Marsh of the Traffic Section says the use of red light cameras as part of the traffic safety strategy is simple: "We're trying to create a safe driving environment in Calgary."
The Calgary Police Service also has a portable red light camera that can be used to respond to concerns about traffic safety in a specific community.
If you are concerned about traffic problems in your neighbourhood - such as speeding in school or playground zones or drivers running red lights - you can submit a Traffic Service Request.
Call your district office (see here for detailed information), the Traffic Section office at 295-7900, or fill in the online form by visiting the Traffic Safety link at www.calgarypolice.ca.
A member of the Traffic Section will contact you about your request.
Checkstops target drunk drivers
On any given day of the week, at any time of the year, a Checkstop is probably operating somewhere in Calgary.
"We take impaired driving very seriously," says Constable Dale McDougall of the Traffic Section. "If you drink and drive, we're always out there. We operate Checkstops on a year-round basis."
In a Checkstop, police set up check points on streets or highways and stop cars at random. If an officer believes that a driver is unable to operate a vehicle, because he or she is impaired, the officer may demand that the driver take a breath test.
Drivers who exceed the legal limit of 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (over .08) or who fail to provide a sample of their breath may face charges.
Anyone convicted on a first offence of driving a motor vehicle while impaired or where the blood-alcohol level exceeds .08 is liable to a fine of up to $2,500, having their driver's licence suspended, or imprisonment for six months or a combination of all three.
Under the Alberta Administrative License Suspension Program implemented in 1999, anyone providing a breath sample over .08 or refusing to provide a sample will have their driver's licence suspended automatically for three months. No conviction is necessary.
This means suspected impaired drivers are taken off the roads, while their case is being dealt with by the courts.
Eleven people died in collisions involving an impaired driver in Calgary in 2002. Police also laid 4,000 criminal charges relating to driving while under the influence of alcohol. Impaired driving is a leading criminal cause of death in Canada.
In addition to regular Checkstops throughout the winter, the Calgary Police Service will also take part in regular joint-forces Checkstop campaigns that involve several police services sharing resources to target impaired drivers on streets and highways across the province.
Educating the public on the consequences of drinking and driving is a key component of the Calgary Police Service's strategy to reduce impaired driving. Officers regularly visit local schools to talk to students about the deadly results of this crime.
"We're reaching a lot of young people," Cst. McDougall says. "Between our continuing education program and Alberta Transportation, we're getting the message across."
Alberta Transportation is the provincial government department also tasked with making the province's roads safer. Alberta statistics show the majority of drivers who drink and get behind the wheel are men between 25 and 44.
Partners find colourful and creative way to fight graffiti
Southbound LRT passengers have something new and eye-catching to look at thanks to the artistic talents of Calgary youth. This summer, 24 young people and local artist, Scott Clark, participated in a mural project to help fight graffiti in a creative way.
A mural, located on the east wall of the Long and McQuade music store at 105 - 58th Avenue S.W., represents a solution to the problem of businesses being targets for graffiti.
Many of the businesses in this area, especially those close to the LRT tracks, have been hit by graffiti. This project provided an opportunity for businesses and youth to work together on a solution while developing positive relationships through the process.
This is the first of many mural projects planned for the businesses along the LRT lines as well as other areas of the city where there has been an identified graffiti problem.
Along with the Calgary Police Service District 6 Community Liaison Office, there were many other partners in the project, including: The City of Calgary Youth Justice Committees, East Calgary Youth Art Projects, United Way, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the National Crime Prevention Program and several private sector sponsors.
One community business partner is happy with the results.
"We are very pleased to have been involved in such a worthwhile project. We are proud of the kids that involved themselves in this project, and hope that their sense of accomplishment will always be a source of pride and self-worth." "This is a wonderful community development approach to solving graffiti issues in the south community,"says Shelley Shea, Community & Neighbourhood Services South Office Manager.
"The youth and businesses involved have worked together to create a healthy, safe and caring community as well as a colourful piece of art that they can be proud of."
Simple steps can help prevent vehicle theft
Janice Thibault* sat, stunned, at her kitchen table after hanging up the phone. She had just called the police to report her car, an old but reliable clunker, stolen. She'd made the decision to save money by not including theft on her insurance coverage, thinking the age and condition of her car would make it undesirable to thieves. Now she would somehow have to find the money for a new car unless her old one was recovered by police.
"Now she has to figure out how to get one kid to day care, the other two to school and she has to get to work without her own transportation," says Staff Sergeant Derek Curtis of the Calgary Police Service. "More and more of these older vehicles don't have theft insurance and more and more we're seeing an impact on our community. It goes beyond insurance."
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Top 10 stolen vehicles in Calgary from January to September 2003
1. Chevrolet/GMC Truck
2. Honda Civic
3. Dodge/Plymouth Van
4. Chrysler Neon
5. Ford Truck
6. Dodge Truck
7. Jeep Cherokee
8. Oldsmobile Cutlass
9. Toyota Camry
10. Honda Accord
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Fortunately for Thibault and other victims, the Calgary Police Service recovers about 92 per cent of stolen vehicles, one of the highest rates in the country.
Thieves steal an average of 13 vehicles every day in Calgary, but some simple steps can make your vehicle a less likely target. A steering wheel locking bar, a system that requires entering a code before the vehicle will start or an electronic auto tracking system can help ensure you'll find your vehicle where you parked it, says S/Sgt. Curtis.
"If you take two identical vehicles, put them in the same lot, and one has some sort of theft prevention device and the other doesn't, the one without the device will be stolen," he says.
Recent statistics show thieves prefer cars made without built-in anti-theft devices. Eighty-three per cent of vehicles stolen in Calgary are made in 2000 or earlier, before the devices became widespread, says Staff Sgt. Curtis.
The Calgary Police Service is requesting the public's help in reducing vehicle theft, not just because of the cost and inconvenience to victims and the resulting increase in insurance premiums for everyone, but also because stolen vehicles are so often used to commit other crimes, such as robberies or break and enters. These opportunistic thieves don't care how old a vehicle is. Staff Sgt. Curtis recommends people use some kind of anti-theft device in their vehicles.
"Nationally, Calgary has a good recovery rate, but that doesn't mean we're not working to make it better."
*name changed to protect victim's identity
Serial numbers key to recovering stolen goods
Make a list of the expensive items - and anything else you value - in your home. Chances are, the list will include things such as a television, stereo, jewelry, computer, bike, VCR and that designer dress or suit you really couldn't afford. Don't forget to include the manufacturer's names and the serial numbers of every item.
Sound like a lot of work? It may be, but if you make these lists and your property is ever stolen, the Calgary Police Service's Stolen Property Unit members have a much better chance of locating and returning your items.
If the police recover your property after you have settled your insurance claim, the property belongs to the insurance company. The insurer will salvage the property to offset the cost of your claim. You do not have to repay the insurance company or return the replacement property if your property is recovered. When you report the items stolen, the police are better able to track crimes, arrest offenders and prosecute those who buy or sell stolen property.
Detective Scott Page says of the approximately 27,000 items stolen from residential break-ins in Calgary last year, valued around $6.9 million, only 1,400 items had identifiable markings.
"We're tasked to recover property but you can see where the deficit is," he says. "Take a photo or videotape anything of value, record the serial number, model number and make and keep them in a safe place so you know where to retrieve it."
A bicycle stolen from a tourist recently serves as a good example of how recording serial numbers helps with the recovery of items. The tourist's bike was stolen at the beginning of her two-week holiday, a trip that was to include mountain biking.
Not wanting to cancel her plans, she bought a replacement bike and left the city to continue her holiday. Upon returning to Calgary, she called home, got her bike's serial number and gave it to the Calgary Police Service. Within eight hours of receiving the number, the Police found her bike.
Det. Page says the most commonly stolen items include cameras, stereo equipment, jewelry and TVs. Criminals use garage sales, online auctions, newspapers, flea markets and many other venues to sell stolen goods for cash.
Vandals are responsible for graffiti
Many different types of graffiti are found in Calgary and vandals, not gangs, are usually responsible for the majority of the damage.
"Regardless of whether you think it's gang-related, or another kind of graffiti, you should remove it if it's on your property," explains Cst. Marcel DuBois of the Calgary Police Service.
The majority of the graffiti simply serves the vandal's ego, he adds. And not all graffiti is done by wayward teenagers. Cst. DuBois says adults, many who hold "regular" jobs, contribute to the problem as well.
Approximately $6.5 million a year is spent removing and re-painting over graffiti in Calgary every year, Cst. DuBois says.
"Graffiti diminishes property values. You have the power as a taxpayer to protect your city and neighbourhood from it."
If you find graffiti anywhere, on any kind of property, report it, record it with a picture, and remove it immediately. Cst. DuBois says taking a picture of the graffiti helps police analyse each piece.
From this documentation, officers are then able to find similarities and create files on the different vandals around the city.
Report graffiti on your property or the property of others by calling the Graffiti Hotline at 268-5707, or call the police at 9-1-1 to report vandalism in progress. Pictures of graffiti can be sent by e-mail to: cpsgraffiti@calgarypolice.ca
Calgary Police Service Facilities
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District Offices
District 1 Office
(Police Headquarters)
Main Floor
133-6th Ave S.E.
T2G 4Z1
206-1234
District 2 Office
4506-17th Ave S.W.
T3E 7B9
249-7701
District 3 Office
4303-14th St. N.W.
T2K 1J7
284-3393
District 4 Office
3207-12th Ave. N.E.
T2A 6N8
273-1888
District 5 Office
5401 Temple Dr. N.E.
T1Y 3R7
280-6677
District 6 Office
8325 Bonaventure Dr. S.E.
T2H 2R7
253-3376
District 7 Office
5720 Silver Springs Bvld. N.W.
T3B 4N7
288-5689
District 8 Office
(Mid-Sun Services Centre)
450 Midpark Way S.E.
T3X 3S4
296-2580
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Community Stations
BraeCentre
Community Station
11430 Braeside Drive S.W.
T2W 4X8
974-6150
Chinook Centre
Community Station
Chinook Centre
6455 Macleod Tr. South
221-0540
Market Mall
Community Station
Market Mall
3625 Shaganappi Tr. N.W.
T3A 0E2
974-0511/0512
North Hill
Community Station
1909-16th Ave N.W.
T2M 4V8
974-0663
Riverbend / Ogden
Community Station
#350, 8338-18th St. S.E.
T2C 4E4
216-1114
Southcentre
Community Station
Southcentre Mall
100 Anderson Rd. S.E.
T2J 3V1
974-0564
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YouthLink campaign supports Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre
The Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre is gearing up for its YouthLink 2004 fund raising campaign. The centre will develop new programs or exhibits on youth violence, substance abuse and create a new interactive website of virtual exhibits.
The Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre opened in 1995 and has had well over 100,000 visitors, many of them school children.
We now live in a society where the media and technological communications make it difficult for parents to know or control the information to which their children are exposed. Young adolescents, are often insecure about where they fit in socially. This insecurity makes our young people very vulnerable to peer pressure and other outside influences.
The Interpretive Centre may have some tough messages, but it is also fun. Exhibits addressing such topics as drinking and driving, drug abuse, juvenile prostitution, domestic abuse and family violence either have interactive components or an activity associated with them.
More recently, the centre added a valuable province-wide program that raises awareness of domestic abuse and family violence. This program ties in with the health and lifestyle curriculum offered to students in grades 4 and 5. Teaching our children how to recognize and break the cycle of domestic abuse and family violence is extremely important, because violence in the home is linked to violence in society.
Help YouthLink 2004. Buy a ticket for the Feb. 25 Calgary Police Interactive Show at the Telus Convention Centre. The show will allow you to interact with members of the Calgary Police Service and solve a crime by examining forensic evidence. Tickets are $100 each. For information about tickets, please call 206-2009.
Report minor collisions close to home
There are nearly 35,000 traffic collisions in Calgary each year. The question is, if you find yourself in a fender bender, should you call police?
The answer depends on the seriousness of the collision. If there are no injuries and the combined damage to the vehicles is under $1,000, police do not need to be notified. Immediately pull off the road to safety - in a parking lot or a side street - and exchange particulars with the other driver.
If there is a serious injury or fatality, call 9-1-1 and emergency personnel, Police, EMS and Fire, will respond immediately. When there is extensive damage and one or more vehicles can't be moved, call the police non-emergency line at 266-1234 and police will respond as soon as possible. Remain alert to other traffic in the area.
For incidents where both vehicles are still driveable and there are no injuries, but the damage is likely to be over $1000.00, the collision can be reported at the nearest district office (see district map on this page for locations).
In these situations, it's important to ensure you get the right information at the scene of the collision. Information collected should include:
- Details about the vehicles involved (licence plates, vehicle makes, models, colours and year) and a description of the damage;
- The name, address, phone number and driver's licence number of the other driver involved and of the vehicle's owner if the driver is not the owner;
- Compare the photo on the driver's licence to the person presenting it and if in doubt make a note of the description of the driver; sex, age, height, weight, distinguishing features, clothing;
- Insurance particulars; company, agent, policy number, expiry date;
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of any other parties involved or witnesses;
- Information about the collision, such as when, where and why it occurred, including road conditions or hazards.
To download a Vehicle Collision Checklist to keep in your vehicle for future reference, visit the Calgary Police Service Traffic Safety section at www.calgarypolice.ca.
Ice and snow rule winter roads regardless of vehicle technology
Some drivers mistakenly believe an anti-lock braking system (ABS) will be just what is needed to avoid another fender-bender like the one they had last year at this time.
"That's probably one of the biggest things that causes collisions," says Constable Mike O'Connor of the Traffic Education Unit.
"Some people think they can stop faster with ABS. The ABS brakes only give you a little more control - you'll probably be less likely to fishtail - but people start tailgating and driving faster than they normally would because they believe they can stop more quickly."
And when that happens, collisions occur.
Winter Vehicle Check List
- Shovel
- Sand or Salt
- Traction Mats
- Cloth or Paper Towels
- Warning Light or Road Flare
- Extra Clothing and Footwear
- Emergency Food Pack
- Booster Cables or Portable Charger Pack
- Ice Scraper and Brush
- Road Maps
- Pencil and Paper
- Flashlight and Batteries
- First-Aid Kit
- Blanket
- Cell Phone and Charged Spare Battery
- Candles
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From January 1 to June 30, 2003 there were 17,623 collisions in Calgary - an average of 97 every day. Driver error is a factor in 90 per cent of collisions, including the belief that ABS or four-wheel drive reduces stopping distances, says Cst. O'Connor.
He says the Traffic Section sees these erroneous ways of thinking every winter.
"With four-wheel drive, acceleration is better than two-wheel drive and front-wheel drive, but the problem is they don't stop any faster and they handle differently as well. It's common to over-correct."
Regardless of what type of vehicle you're driving, Cst. O'Connor suggests leaving more distance between you and the vehicle in front than you would in summer conditions. Allowing more time to get to your destination, slowing down and being cautious of road and traffic conditions will help keep your bumpers straight. "The road may look clean, but may be slippery," he says.
Make winter driving safer by ensuring your vehicle's defroster works, the windows are properly cleared and headlights and tail lights are working, says Cst. O'Connor.
Keep a winter emergency kit in the vehicle, including a window scraper and brush, jumper cables and warm clothes. "It doesn't seem as if it's needed in the city," he says. "But if your vehicle dies and you have to wait for a tow truck, you want to make sure you stay warm."
For more safe driving tips, visit the Traffic Safety section of the Calgary Police Service website at www.calgarypolice.ca.
CPS wants talented officers in its ranks
From horses to police cars, to firing ranges and investigating crime, the opportunities within the Calgary Police Service are almost infinite.
"That's what's so great about this career - the incredible variety of opportunities," says Constable Nancy McNutt, who recently moved into the Skills and Procedures Unit after being a street officer in District 2.
In Skills and Procedures, one of 109 specialty units within the Service, she trains new recruits and officers in areas such as physical control techniques and high-risk vehicle stops.
Cst. McNutt, who has been with the Service for five years, knows her policing career will take other turns in the years ahead. One option she may pursue requires taking many additional investigative skills courses.
"And I find the domestic conflict area quite interesting," she says. Cst. McNutt looks forward to the additional training she will undergo as her career progresses.
Cst. Jean-Marc Boucher, a graduate of Recruit Class 145 in September 2003, says he is eager to continue his training in the important job of being a street constable before applying his skills elsewhere in the Service.
"I'm impressed by the opportunities here," he says. "I know the next five years of my life will be filled with many exciting experiences."
Joining the CPS after 8-1/2 years of military service and after earning an education degree and becoming a teacher, Cst. Boucher knows he made the right career decision.
"I always had a desire to be part of a diverse community," he says. "When I got my degree I didn't appreciate how valuable it would be in helping me to deal with people."
Cst. Lee Stanton is looking forward to taking his four years of street-policing knowledge to the Skills and Procedures Unit.
"I enjoy coaching and instructing," he says, adding those were his areas of focus after graduating from university. "It's nice to put that to work. I've been pretty blessed in my four years. I've accomplished more than I ever anticipated."
The Calgary Police Service has a wide range of opportunities for officers with the appropriate skills and aptitudes, ranging from street policing to detecting cybercrime, to working on arson cases or investigating auto thefts.
The Service plans to hire 200 new recruits, by December 2004, from all walks of life.
Applications are encouraged from men and women of all backgrounds and cultures. To find out more about the many opportunities available with the Calgary Police Service, visit www.calgarypolice.ca and click on the "Now Hiring!" link beside the police badge.
You'll find everything you need to know about requirements and salaries, as well as online application forms.
Special police team sets its sights on downtown crime
In mid-August, the Calgary Police Service and District 1 re-established a dedicated, eight-officer operational team to supplement existing police patrols in the city's downtown core.
This team addresses community and business concerns through initiating and maintaining community contacts.
Appreciating that citizens' calls for police service and the resulting workload have increased, the District Response Team has provided an additional resource to promote a more focused approach to identified areas of concern.
Team members were initially drawn from all eight police districts, working in conjunction with District 1 police officers, specialty units from across the Calgary Police Service and a broad range of internal and external partners.
The uniformed team will "walk the beat," permitting it to work more closely with community and business members. This has enhanced existing community and business partnerships while establishing important new ones. This is an essential part of the team's mandate, providing improved communication links with the community.
The team will use various tactics and deployment strategies focusing on identified community issues such as prostitution, drugs, traffic problems, along with monitoring the activity in identified areas of concern.
The team's visible police presence has served as an effective deterrent to criminal activity while ensuring appropriate and timely responses.
Police request that anyone who sees a crime in progress call 9-1-1, or call the police non-emergency number, which is 266-1234, if you have information about a crime.
Help police weed out pot growers
Indoor marijuana growing operations have become a major concern for policing agencies across North America. The Calgary Police Service seizes millions of dollars worth of marijuana every year from these often dangerous hydroponics laboratories.
Growers set up in homes or commercial properties, creating potential fire hazards that endanger the people and property in the surrounding area. And because many grow operations are directly linked to organized crime groups, the associated weapons and violence can put the community's safety at risk.
"The proliferation of marijuana grow operations is definitely due to organized crime," says Inspector Brian Skeet with the Organized Crime Control Unit. "They can be found in almost any neighbourhood in the city."
Organized crime groups often buy more than one home in newer neighbourhoods where the homeowners are very mobile. "It's easier for the crime group members to blend in if the neighbours aren't around much," says Insp. Skeet.
Marijuana can be grown in any indoor area with environmental controls. It might be in a house, apartment, garage, shed, basement or commercial property. Indoor marijuana cultivation often uses hydroponics - a growing system that uses no soil. Instead, plants are grown in an inert medium such as sand, or none at all, and a nutrient solution is delivered directly to their root systems.
Calgarians play a big role in keeping drugs out of their communities, says Detective Pat Tetley. "Calls from concerned residents lead us to 90 per cent of the marijuana operations we investigate." He adds that citizens should not put themselves at risk by trespassing in order to obtain or validate information, but report their tips to the police.
You can do your part by watching for these clues that may indicate an indoor marijuana growing operation is in your neighbourhood:
- You see people moving piping, lighting or large amounts of fertilizer into a building;
- Basement windows have been covered, possibly with foil, plywood or curtains;
- People come and go from a vacant building, behaving oddly;
- You notice an unusual "skunky" smell coming from exhaust fans;
- You hear a diesel/gas/propane power generator? providing electricity for the grow site;
- You hear a loud electrical hum from lights and electrical transformers or loud exhaust or humidifier fans
Calgary Crime Stoppers wins international awards
Calgary Crime Stoppers won nine awards for its work fighting crime at the Crime Stoppers International Conference in Melbourne, Australia in October, 2003.
Three of the awards relate to the number of goods recovered, the amount of drugs recovered and the number of arrests made through this community-based program.
Calgary Crime Stoppers also earned three television awards for its ongoing work televising crime re-enactments and promoting the Crime Stoppers program.
The organization also earned three newsprint awards, including a first place award for articles from the Spring 2002 Police Advisor.
The international awards are given to Crime Stoppers organizations based on population served. Calgary competes in the category with organizations serving 250,000 to 1 million people. There are over 1,000 Crime Stoppers programs around the world.
While in Australia, Calgary Crime Stoppers learned it won the bid to host the Crime Stoppers International Training Conference to be held in August 2005.
Crime Stoppers is a co-operative program between the community, media and police. Trained personnel receive anonymous tips from the public about an offence and pass that information to police. The media can help publicize the need for help by drawing attention to unsolved crimes.
Tipsters can earn up to a $2,000 reward if their tips led to an arrest, the recovery of stolen property, or the seizure of drugs.
By September 2003, Calgary Crime Stoppers received 2,265 tips, which led to 156 arrests, and 369 charges. From this work, almost $370,000 worth of stolen property was recovered, $6 million worth of drugs was recovered and $45,400 worth of reward money had been paid.
If you have information about any unsolved crime, phone Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Neighbours help seniors avoid scams
Criminals target seniors with everything from overpriced home renovations to telemarketing scams. Neighbours and communities can play an important role in protecting seniors against these unfortunate and avoidable situations.
In most cases, family members are the best source of protection for seniors, but there are instances where members of the family take advantage of their aging parents.
Vigilant neighbours often notice a problem when a senior starts demonstrating strange behaviour, such as being disoriented and confused, or handing out large sums of money. In these cases, family members should be alerted to these problems, or call the police non-emergency number at 266-1234.
Seniors can avoid being victimized by joining community associations. They provide a network of friends and outreach workers to call upon in case of problems. Almost every area of Calgary has a community association and membership fees are usually minimal.
Education about crimes against seniors is also important. Constable Kate Savage provides valuable programs for seniors at locations around the city. Seniors can keep up with the latest scams by signing up for Senior's PACT (Police and Community Telephone) system, a computerized system that calls subscribers to alert them of problems in their areas. To register for Seniors PACT, call (403) 645-2900.
With education and a reliable support system, seniors are less likely to fall victim to crimes. Savage explains that in almost any situation, people should follow their instincts.
She recommends a few simple tips for seniors:
- Do not use ATM cards;
- Check prices with others in your community before agreeing to renovations or services;
- Do not hand over money without doing research;
- And most important, she says, "if something doesn't feel right, don't do it."
For more information, contact Constable Savage at (403) 509-1791 or e-mail her, at kathleen.savage@calgarypolice.ca.
CPS website delivers news to your home
A car seat properly installed and used can reduce the risk of a child being injured or killed in a vehicle collision by as much as 75 per cent.
That's just one of the many useful pieces of information available on the Calgary Police Service's ever-expanding website.
The latest addition to the site is the all-new recruiting section, accessible through the link on the home page beside the police badge that says "Now Hiring!" You'll find everything you need to know about requirements and salaries, as well as online application forms.
Another recent update is a completely revamped Traffic Safety section. You'll find information about the functions the Traffic Section's six units and their goals to ensure safety, change unsafe driving behaviours, provide education and raise awareness.
In addition, this section has handy checklists - a Vehicle Collision Checklist to keep in your glove compartment in case of a collision, and a Winter Weather Checklist describing what items to keep in your vehicle to stay safe during winter driving conditions. Just key in "Checklist" in the site's search engine.
Citizens concerned about traffic issues can fill in an online Traffic Service Request Form to request photo radar or a portable red light camera be set up in their community. The website is updated regularly to include details of special traffic education programs and photo radar and red light camera locations.
The Service's Professional Standards Section pages provide a key communication link between the Service and the public. Here Calgarians can learn how to file a complaint or a compliment about a member of the Service, and how the complaint process works.
To stay up to date on Calgary Police Service activities in your neighbourhood, an online registration form for the Police and Community Telephone (PACT) system can be found in the Crime Prevention section, along with hundreds of other crime prevention tips. PACT is a free service that automatically calls subscribers between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. to relay any incidents that require their attention or help.
Previous issues of the Police Advisor can found on the site as well. To read past articles, visit the News & Events section of the website at www.calgarypolice.ca.
November Is Family Violence Prevention Month
Family Violence has a profound impact on everyone in our community. According to the Women's Health Surveillance Report, 25.5 per cent of women in Alberta experience some kind of spousal abuse, the highest rate in the country. While police reports and victimization surveys consistently demonstrate that women are the most prevalent victims of domestic violence, men also can be victimized. In 2002, 10 per cent of victims of family violence were male.
In the same year, the Calgary Police Service responded to 11,300 reports of domestic violence. These numbers are not reflective of the full extent of the problem, as many individuals fail to report incidents of abuse. More alarming is that children were present in 50 per cent of these calls.
A variety of terms are used to describe adult-to-adult violence. The most common include family violence, battering, domestic violence and spousal abuse. Regardless of the terminology, domestic violence centres on the violation of intimacy and trust. All forms of abusive behaviour demonstrate the need for control over another human being.
Family violence can take many different forms, including:
- Emotional: put-downs, constant criticism, forcing a partner to watch child or pet abuse
- Isolation: denying a partner friendships or other social contacts, making family contact difficult
- Intimidation: threats to hurt children or anyone who may try to help, threats to take away the children
- Economic: prohibiting a partner from having money of their own, forcing a partner to surrender their paycheque, demanding accountability for every penny spent
- Physical: pushing, shoving, slapping, abandoning in an unsafe place
- Sexual abuse: forced unwanted sex, accusations of infidelity
Domestic violence does not just impact adults. Evidence shows that exposure to domestic violence can have serious negative effects on a child's development. Studies show that violence has a profound impact on children who witness abuse in the home.
The 1999 General Social Survey on Victimization found that 37 per cent of women and men who reported that they were assaulted by a spouse also reported that their children had heard or witnessed the violence.
Approximately 378,000 children between the ages of six and 11 in Canada had witnessed violence in the home at some point in their lives.
Children who are exposed to violence between their parents are at an increased risk of behavioural and developmental problems and are at greater risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of violence themselves.
If you are a victim of abuse, it is important to take appropriate steps to ensure your safety and the safety of your children. A safety plan may increase the safety of the victim and her/his children when she/he has separated from an abusive partner or if she/he continues to live with an abusive partner. It is important to understand that a safety plan does not guarantee safety, but rather it can increase the safety of the abused and their children.
The safety plan includes:
- Keep emergency numbers with you
- Be ready to leave quickly (have cash, documents, keys ready)
- Make a plan for your children's safety
- Change travel routes and routines
- Try to put away a little money at every opportunity
- Let people know you are concerned for your safety
- Call a shelter for safety advice
- Keep a phone in a room that can be locked from the inside
- Plan an escape route from your home
- Pack a suitcase of essential items such as clothing and medicines and store them in a safe place
- Be aware of options for safe retreats (e.g., a friend, neighbour, relative, motel or emergency shelter). If you can do so safely, contact the people in advance to let them know you are coming. This allows them to watch for you and call for help if necessary. Do not go to a friend or relative's house if the abusive partner is likely to find you there. This can be dangerous for both you and those trying to assist you.
There are many services in Calgary that serve women, men and children impacted by domestic violence. If you are being abused, please call one of the numbers listed. These organizations can also help if you are hurting or abusing someone.
24-Hour Help
- Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance): 9-1-1
- Requests for Police Service: 266-1234
-
Distress Centre: 266-1605
(Telephone information)
-
Men's Line: 266-4357
(Telephone information & support)
-
Child Abuse: 297-2995
(Emergency Social Services)
-
Kerby Rotary House: 705-3250
(Seniors)
-
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse: 237-5888
(Includes Sexual Assault)
Shelters
Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter: 232-8717
YWCA Sheriff King Home: 266-0707
Native Women's Shelter: 531-1972
November is Family Violence Prevention Month in Alberta. This year's campaign is entitled Family Violence Is Your Business.
Educational and resource materials have been distributed to shelters, social service groups and schools in an effort to raise awareness of family violence.
For more information on family violence, please visit www.acws.ca or www.child.gov.ab.ca.
Each individual in our community can play a role in reducing family violence in Calgary. For more information on the difference you can make in our community, please call the Action Committee Against Violence (ACAV) at 268-6755.
This article is sponsored by EnCana Corporation
Police carving out ski hill theft
An expanded ski and snowboard anti-theft program supported by the Calgary Police Service will help skiers return home with all their gear.
Encouraged by the successes of last year, when ski and snowboard theft dropped 50 per cent at Canada Olympic Park and 80 per cent at Sunshine, retail outlets and repair shops have now joined the theft- prevention program that includes ski hills, pawnshops and second-hand stores.
"Because the retail stores have technical shops, if the thieves don't want to sell the gear but take it in for an adjustment, we have more opportunities to track them," says Constable Roy Moe, who helped start the program three years ago. Ski hill operators post all reported stolen equipment on a list available to other businesses via the Internet.
Cst. Moe says business owners are encouraged to display a poster with details of the latest stolen items. Based on the information provided through the Internet, four arrests were made last year. The program has not only expanded its focus, but includes almost every ski hill from here to the East Kootenays, Cst. Moe says.
"Everyone in the industry knows the problem exists, but no one knew the solution," he says. "Now we've got the concepts and the relationships built. An interested public will help solve these crimes."
Snowboards are about five times more likely to be stolen than skis. While the program can help recover stolen property, Cst. Moe strongly encourages everyone to be vigilant about locking their gear and taking other appropriate actions to ensure it isn't stolen in the first place. Many ski hills have ski and board locking racks on site.
Engraving ski or snowboard equipment with unique markings, such as initials or a driver's licence number, helps make the gear easier to identify if it is stolen.
Keeping records of the make, model and serial number of your equipment will also help police identify these items if they are missing or stolen. Report any thefts to the Calgary Police Service at 266-1234.
If your insurance company has replaced your items, you do not have to return the new ones if the stolen property is recovered - it belongs to the insurance company. The more thefts reported by the public, the better chance the Service has of arresting the criminals.
For more information, visit www.calgarypolice.ca and click on Crime Prevention, then Prevent Ski and Snowboard Theft, and Sections & Units and Stolen Property Unit.
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