App allows for community connection with RCMP

By Heather Cameron
Commentator/Courier

The AB RCMP Mobile APP was developed by the RCMP and released in 2022 so the public could connect with the Alberta RCMP.

“The RCMP developed the app to make it easy for the public user to access information quickly and easily through their mobile devices,” said Shannon Pakula, Secretary-Treasurer of the South East Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association. 

The app, Pakula says, makes it easy for the public to connect with Alberta RCMP with links to information on news, crime reporting (stats and mapping), prevention initiatives like Project Lock Up and detachment locations. In addition to that information, Pakula says, there are links to AB RCMP partner law enforcement services, AB RCMP social media accounts, and mental health supports.

“We have been promoting the use of the app at our local meetings and it seems to be well received,” said Pakula. “At our regular meetings, we also have RCMP members from Redcliff, Bow Island, Brooks and Bassano detachments available to provide current crime trends information for their local areas and they are always available to answer questions our members have. Our RCMP detachment officers have such large areas to cover, and they cannot be everywhere at all times. Our rural crime watch members can bridge that gap by being aware of and watching for suspicious activity to pass along to RCMP in a timely manner. We feel that for the public and our members to truly act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the RCMP, they must get as much information as can be provided out to the public. As part of our membership we also use a fanout system that provides communication from RCMP if they request information from our members immediately or if they have information to go out to our members immediately concerning events.”

The AB RCMP Mobile APP, Pakula says, is available as a free download through Apple or Google Play.

“Since most people carry cellphones it creates a source of reliable information that is easily available to the public,” said Pakula. “If crime trends show that stolen vehicles or property is high in specific areas, the people in those areas should know so that they can prepare and take measures to prevent those crimes from happening to them. People can get complacent if they haven’t personally been impacted by crime, so we want people to be aware of actions that they can take to protect themselves and we want these things to become second nature.” 

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