Stuart Larson from Protective Services presented an overview of the Community Peace Officer Program over 2024 to Ponoka town council on Jan. 14.
Peace Officers are hired by municipalities to enforce bylaws and conduct local traffic enforcement. Their authority also extends to provincial roads and highways.
Larson reported the program had a busy year, completing 480 files from within the Town of Ponoka, including a total of 281 bylaw calls for service and 199 provincial violations.
On average, the peace officers responded to 23 bylaw service calls and 16 provincial service calls per month. (Numbers don't include outstanding files waiting at the Court of King's Bench.)
In addition to the enforcement files, the Community Peace Officer was also engaged in public education, joint force operations, professional development, and various stakeholder events.
New additions to the program included positive ticketing and a stolen bike round-up during the summer months.
About 30 'citations' were used over the summer under the positive ticking program. Four local businesses sponsors supported the 'fines.'
The peace officers also worked with the communications department regarding public service announcements and with the development department on vacant, unsightly and derelict properties.
During 2024, the program conducted a review of the town's Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines.
Peace officers conducted walking path patrols in the Battle River Valley and other public spaces.
"The program plays a vital role in identifying individuals in the transient population and connecting them with local resources to address their needs," stated the report.
"These resources help support their transition into stable housing and access to physical and mental health care. This task is challenging due to the rising rate of homelessness and the town’s location along a transient corridor."
From March to mid-October, the program managed an average of three to five encampments per month and saw an increase in the use of vacant properties for unauthorized lodging.
Larson reported that town operations assisted in cleaning up encampments, ensuring the areas were restored and safe for the community.
"In summary, the program is continuing to move forward to meet the needs of the community based on the vision directed by council," said Larson.
"Our primary focus is community safety with an emphasis on enforcement through education. We will continue to work with all stakeholders as required and apprise council on potential and actual impacts to the community as they arise."
Council accepted the report as information.
