logo
RCMP take steps to combat thieves targeting Alberta's evacuated communities

RCMP take steps to combat thieves targeting Alberta's evacuated communities

Global News06-06-2025
First, Yellowhead County Mayor Wade Williams was worried the hamlet of Peers, Alta., would go up in flames, and then he was alarmed to learn someone had stolen fire equipment.
'It is ridiculous and blows my mind that someone would come here and steal equipment that was laid out to save lives and homes,' Williams said.
Williams said the thief targeted water pumps.
'For anyone who would loot in an evacuated area, we need stiffer penalties.'
The province of Alberta said it is aware of this situation, and notes that it wasn't aware of any other incidents.
Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
In a statement to Global News, the Alberta government said, 'The alleged theft of fire equipment is utterly unacceptable and profoundly alarming, as it directly jeopardizes public safety during a vital period for Albertans while they're in crisis and places fire personnel in grave unnecessary danger.'
Story continues below advertisement
In May, RCMP arrested a man for tampering with sprinklers while the Redwater area was evacuated. Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said to combat this, police officers patrol empty areas 24/7.
They have also started using drones.
'This year, we are finding it extremely helpful and successful, when you have an evacuated area and have (this) asset,' Savinkoff said.
'You can cover off a lot of area. It's very easy to see suspicious behaviour with those drones.'
Tweet This
Click to share quote on Twitter: "You can cover off a lot of area. It's very easy to see suspicious behaviour with those drones."
Savinkoff said many of the thieves who target these areas are repeat offenders.
'They're potentially finding ways in or not everybody evacuates, so it becomes an issue of managing the people that chose to remain in the community.'
As there are more evacuation order issues, Savinkoff stresses Mounties will continue to patrol these areas with both uniform and non-uniform officers.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

World junior decision will be ‘a big deterrent' for sex assault reporting, advocates say
World junior decision will be ‘a big deterrent' for sex assault reporting, advocates say

Global News

time28 minutes ago

  • Global News

World junior decision will be ‘a big deterrent' for sex assault reporting, advocates say

Sexual assault support agencies say an Ontario judge's decision in the high-profile world junior sex assault trial will deter people from speaking out about sexual assault. During her reading of her decision inside a London, Ont., courtroom Thursday, Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia called the complainant, known as E.M. in court documents, to be 'neither credible or reliable.' Carroccia found Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote not guilty of sexual assault; she also found McLeod not guilty of being a party to the offence of sexual assault. 'The experience that E.M. described was very much the way trauma works: not remembering everything in order and things getting a little mixed up and not having all of your timelines straight,' said Jessie Rodger, executive director of Anova, a sexual assault centre for London in Middlesex County. Story continues below advertisement 'That's how trauma impacts your brain, and so to watch a completely no trauma violence informed judgment come down is going to be a big deterrent' for complainants, she added. 3:56 Why the judge acquitted all 5 former Hockey Canada players in sex assault trial The five men were on trial since late April – accused of engaging in non-consensual group sex with a then-20-year-old woman in June 2018. Much has been made in the case about consent, Carroccia said, but in her decision she said the case 'on its facts does not raise issues of the reformulation of the legal concept of consent.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy But advocates for survivors of sexual assault disagree, and said this case shows more needs to be done within the justice system, specifically training around consent and sexual assault for all judges, said Jennifer Dunn, the executive director of the London Abused Women's Centre. Story continues below advertisement Dunn also said if consent education were more apart of hockey culture, this situation might have been different. 'Would this have all happened if … there was some kind off framework built for them around what consent was, what is okay, what is not okay?' she said. View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen View full screen Previous Image Next Image Close Modal Gallery The five men entered the courthouse one-by-one Thursday and were greeted by dozens of supporters of sexual assault survivors. Story continues below advertisement While demonstrators wrote 'believe survivors' in chalk outside the courthouse and carried signs saying the same, the judge said the slogan has no place in a criminal trial. 'To approach a trial with the assumption that the complainant is telling the truth is the equivalent of imposing a presumption of guilt on the person accused of sexual assault and then placing the burden on him to prove his innocence,' she said. 'That is antithetical to the fundamental principles of justice enshrined in our constitution and the values underlying our free and democratic society.' Dunn called the judge's words 'utter nonsense.' 'This is a landmark case where there's no consideration for the fact that women are conditioned to fear and please men — and that's just the bottom line, like look at how the system was built,' she said. 2:36 World junior trial: Players found not guilty in high-profile sex assault case Both Dunn and Rodger say while the decision might deter people from speaking up, they want those who have experienced a sexual assault to know they have other options. Story continues below advertisement 'We're here wanting to make sure that victims and survivors of sexual violence know that there's another option. They can come to sexual assault centres, they can heal, and they can get support in other ways,' Rodger said. 'We will believe them, we will not question them, and we will support them in whatever way they need.' London Police Chief Thai Truong commended E.M. for her 'outstanding courage and strength' in coming forward and enduring the prolong legal process. 'We remain committed to ensuring that survivors of sexual violence feel supported and safe when interacting with the London Police Service, recognizing the distinct impact trauma can have,' he said in a statement. Troung recognized that 'incidents of sexual violence continue to be underreported, often because survivors may fear or experience additional trauma within the justice process itself. This includes fear of judgement within their communities and beyond.' He said as police chief, he is 'determined to ensure that our service consistently delivers victim-centered, trauma-informed responses, emphasizing sensitivity, compassion, and public safety.' — with files from Aaron D'Andrea and Sean O'Shea

More than $100K in drugs, other contraband seized at Stony Mountain prison
More than $100K in drugs, other contraband seized at Stony Mountain prison

Global News

time28 minutes ago

  • Global News

More than $100K in drugs, other contraband seized at Stony Mountain prison

See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Police have been notified and corrections officials are investigating after drugs and other contraband — with an estimated institutional value of $108,520 — were seized at a prison north of Winnipeg. The Correctional Service of Canada said staff at Stony Mountain Institution found packages of contraband that included meth, cocaine and THC, as well as cellphones, charging cords and SIM cards on Thursday Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The CSC says it has tightened efforts to prevent contraband from going into correctional facilities across the country.

3-year-old child drowns while playing with family at popular Ontario beach
3-year-old child drowns while playing with family at popular Ontario beach

Global News

timean hour ago

  • Global News

3-year-old child drowns while playing with family at popular Ontario beach

The Ontario Provincial Police say a three-year-old child has died after drowning at a popular beach in Prince Edward County. Police said it was around 5:30 p.m. Thursday when they responded to a beach area at Sandbanks Provincial Park. A child had gone missing while playing with family members in a shallow area of the water, OPP said, adding the child was found by bystanders before emergency crews arrived. The child was rushed to hospital by paramedics. 'Despite resuscitation efforts, the child was pronounced deceased,' OPP said. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police said the identity of the child is not being released out of respect for the family's privacy. Several drowning incidents reported in Ontario this summer The OPP have put out several press releases regarding drownings across the province this summer. Story continues below advertisement Just this week, the OPP reported that 10 people have died in marine incidents in eastern Ontario so far this summer — more than double the number recorded by this time last year. OPP said in every case, the victim was not wearing a life jacket. The warning comes amid a series of devastating incidents that have already taken place in Ontario waters. At a provincial park beach in Lake Erie, a 35-year-old man from Woodstock, Ont., drowned while trying to save his daughter. His body was recovered the following day. In another tragic drowning, an 18-year-old swimmer was pulled from Ipperwash Beach unresponsive and later died in hospital. Then, just days later, a 44-year-old man died after diving from a boat into shallow water, the second fatality there in the same week. Police have emphasized the importance of life jackets and water safety. — With files from Global News' Prisha Dev

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store