The RCMP logo is seen on the shoulder of a superintendent during a news conference, Saturday, June 24, 2023 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Mounties in central Alberta say one of their officers has been charged with theft. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Blackfalds

Mounties in central Alberta say one of their officers has been charged with theft.

RCMP say they were made aware of allegations in May 2022 that an officer had items seized from the Blackfalds Detachment.

They say several items allegedly stolen from the exhibit room at the Blackfalds Detachment were found in the officer’s home in Red Deer last month.

Mounties did not say what was found during the search.

Cpl. Brandon Smith, who is 44, has been charged with two counts each of theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5000.

His next court date set for Wednesday at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

RCMP say Smith was an active-duty officer at the Red Deer Detachment at the time of the charge.

He has been suspended with pay.

News Release from the Town of Blackfalds 

The Town of Blackfalds is proud to announce that the community plaza set to open in the fall of 2022 will be officially named the Border Paving Plaza! Council formally approved the naming sponsorship at the March 22 Regular Council meeting.

The Border Paving Plaza will be a four-season gathering place that will provide residents and visitors with an aesthetically pleasing open area in which they can participate in markets, festivals, performances, and other community events. The Plaza will be east of the Eagle Builders Centre and south of the existing parking lot.

“Over the past number of years, outdoor gatherings and events have been steadily growing in participation and popularity in Blackfalds, so it’s very exciting that we are moving forward with the Border Paving Plaza project that will serve to be a focal point for many of these exciting events,” shared Mayor Jamie Hoover. “Along with completing the Eagle Builder Centre and the road realignment, this outdoor plaza will quickly become a central point of pride in our always improving community.”

The 24,000 square foot space will feature a decorative stained concrete deck, stairs and ramps, landscape features, and a natural gas fire pit.

Border Paving Plaza’s budget is $668,000, of which 75 per cent was approved through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. The remaining funds will be alleviated from sponsorships, including Border Paving Ltd, DB Bobcat Services, STEP Energy, Stantec, and ATCO gas.

Amanda Stasiuk, Border Paving’s Community Outreach Coordinator, said that the company is looking forward to the development and the continued partnership with the Town.

“Once again, we are very excited to be a part of Blackfalds’ commitment to public gatherings and community-minded development. Donations like this are part of our long-standing commitment to the communities we are part of.”

Construction of the Border Paving Plaza will begin this spring, in conjunction with the Gregg Street Realignment project.