City of Red Deer urging businesses to join CAPTURE program and share video with RCMP

A story by The City of Red Deer

Business Upgrading Security with CAPTURE

Red Deer RCMP Staff Sgt. C.J. (Jay) Peden is growing the detachment’s CAPTURE (Community Assisted Policing Through Use of Recorded Evidence) program, a mapping tool and database that allows citizens and business owners to supply their camera locations and contact information to the Red Deer RCMP.

CAPTURE lets RCMP members know where cameras are located, and who to approach to request access to footage that may come in handy during an investigation, such as vehicle identifiers, or physical characteristics of suspects.

One of the first businesses to sign up for CAPTURE was KMS Tools and Equipment and they are requesting that fellow business owners register for the program. KMS opened the doors of its Red Deer location eleven years ago, and today serves roughly 2500 customers per month. Last year, however, the business had an after-hours break-in and had the business been registered with CAPTURE it would have provided RCMP with more information about the suspects.

The break-in incident resulted in KMS increasing its security on site. In addition to signing up for CAPTURE, they have rearranged their security cameras, and added more cameras to the external structure of their building so they now have the entire perimeter and gating on camera.

“One of the ways I know to prevent crime, is to be proactive”, explains Vernon. “I want to be a part of the solution, and CAPTURE is a great start. We already have the camera system set up for use, if the RCMP can use the footage to help in a case; it’s a win-win. I hope every business in Red Deer takes part.”

“CAPTURE was developed to build a mapping program of security cameras in the community,” explains Staff Sgt. Peden. “Security cameras are an excellent crime prevention tool, and with CAPTURE, we will be able to use cameras to help protect our neighbourhoods and businesses.”

When you join CAPTURE, police will ask for your contact information so they can quickly contact you to view your recordings to help in investigations. By registering your camera, you are taking an active role in deterring crime and assisting the Red Deer RCMP with their overall crime prevention goals in your community. RCMP will not ask for your login information and will never be able to look at your footage without your permission.

“The more people, and especially businesses, who register their cameras with CAPTURE, the more likely we will be to find footage that could lead to us identifying a criminal, finding evidence for an investigation, and making an overall impact in your neighbourhood,” explains Peden.

You can register your security cameras for CAPTURE, and learn more about the program, at https://www.reddeercapture.ca/user/create/registrant.

Up Next

Myrna Pearman and Morris Flewwelling honoured by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society

Don't Miss

Premier Kenney urges Prime Minister Trudeau’s new cabinet to take Alberta’s concerns seriously

Duane Rolheiser

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

Follow Author

Argentina President Javier Milei rejects UN’s ‘socialist’ ‘Pact for the Future’

International / 4 weeks ago

“Mainstream media bias is beyond biased”

Economy / 4 weeks ago

Immigration crisis is absolutely “On Purpose” Center for Immigration Studies testifies

City of Red Deer

City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
Preventing establishment of encampments.
Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.

City of Red Deer

Kinsmen Community Arenas closed until mid-November

Published on August 7, 2024

City of Red Deer

From City Council, Tuesday, August 6

Kinsmen Community Arenas funding request (decision)

Council has approved the $350,000 budget request to replace the chiller at the Kinsmen Community Arenas; this will be funded through the Capital Projects Reserve. Administration will order the part, which is expected to arrive in 14 weeks, then the contractor will take two weeks to install, then staff will install ice, taking an additional ten days. If there are no delays or issues, the arenas are anticipated to open mid-November at the earliest.
Administration is working to revise rental permitting that has been previously shared with sport groups –the majority of rental permits will need to be revised with a proportionate reduction in ice access across all community rental groups. Revised permits are anticipated to be back to Sport Partners by August 30.
The chiller is the main piece of equipment that allows ice to be made at the twin arenas. It cools brine water and provides cooling. The brine water’s chemical properties keep it from freezing. To freeze the rink surface, the system pumps chilled brine water through the pipes and then into the ice-bearing concrete slab.