Bow Island forms Safe Streets Committee to tackle rising break-ins and boost community safety

Posted on January 30, 2025 by Ryan Dahlman

By Nerissa McNaughton
Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Town of Bow Island has taken a proactive step toward enhancing safety and security with the formation of the Safe Streets and Community Protection Committee. Comprised of representatives from the RCMP, Town staff, a Town council member, and six members from Bow Island and the surrounding rural areas, the committee was established in direct response to a wave of recent break-ins. With a mission to serve and protect the community, this new team aims to address public concerns, drive collaboration, and create actionable strategies to improve safety across the region. 

Chairman Chantel Timmons along with Dave Matz, Town of Bow Island CAO; and Cpl Adam George, Chief of Police Bow Island Detachment, share how the Committee will operate.

“The Town of Bow Island created this committee prior to its re-organizational meeting last October. The main focus for wanting to start a committee of this nature is to have community members at large help identify key areas of concern within the Town of Bow Island and to help provide feedback to make the community a safer place. 

“The mission of this committee is to: Establish a proactive and supportive group dedicated to safety and crime prevention in Bow Island through education and collaboration with local agencies, and the vision is to: Engage community members and local agencies by providing timely information on community services, events, and incidents.”

The necessity of the committee is clear. According to RCMP statistics for the third quarter of 2024, there was a significant increase in break and enter incidents from January to September 2024, with a 67 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2023. The numbers went from 9 incidents in 2023 to 15 in 2024. Additionally, motor vehicle theft saw a 60 per cent increase, with incidents rising from 5 in 2023 to 8 in 2024 for the January to September period.

Theft over and under $5,000 saw a smaller increase of 13 per cent, with incidents going from 16 in 2023 to 18 in 2024. There is positive news in that possession of stolen goods experienced a significant decrease of 70%, dropping from 10 incidents in 2023 to 3 in 2024. Additional details can be viewed at https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ab/criminal-statistics-statistiques-criminelles/bow-island-eng.htm. 

The committee is taking an active stance.

“We are a proactive group that is going to focus on education and collaboration with local agencies to help foster a safer community. Once our committee is in full swing (as we are still getting things set up and organized), we hope to engage the community more by finding out what they want to see, how they see us helping to make a difference, and hosting town halls with RCMP.”

They point out, “However, there is more to the committee than just criminal safety; we are hoping to help foster that rural community safe feeling with things like improved access for residents in certain public areas, better street lighting within town, adequate traffic signage where pedestrian safety is a concern, etc.”

Although things are just now underway, the public is encouraged to engage, and there are several ways to do so.

“We are in the process of getting social media set up so we can better reach the community. Residents can watch Facebook and join the group there; this will be our main avenue of communicating with the community. Also, residents need to be mindful of their community and neighbours with everyone helping everyone. Educate yourself on who to call and what to do in different situations. If there is a concern that can be fixed without the RCMP, please reach out to the group. Things like streetlights are an easy fix. If there is something you feel is suspicious, or just not right, be sure to report it. The RCMP can’t be everywhere, so as a community we need to help be their eyes and ears – 403-545-2100 is the non-emergency line to make a report. But, of course, if you feel threatened or unsafe dial 911.”

They conclude, “We are a very excited, energetic group of people that have come together to ensure Bow Island and the surrounding area remains a great place to live, work and play. We are hoping the community comes together to help us, help them.”