A new RCMP crime mapping tool allows Ponoka residents to track criminal activity in their community.
Hosted on the Town of Ponoka’s website, the tool tracks a variety of crimes such as thefts, mischief, break and enter files, theft from motor vehicles or missing persons.
It’s a way to give residents a better understanding of where and what types of criminal activity have been occurring. According to an RCMP press release, the map features current and verified information from the last 14 days.
“Equipped with accurate information, Alberta RCMP hopes citizens will use the map to develop sound crime prevention habits for their families and their communities, and encourage citizens to report suspicious activities,” states a release.
The interactive map allows a user to zoom in on neighbourhoods and view the different files within a category and a brief description of the event. On the left side of the screen are menu options to view the map with different layers such as streets or a satellite view of Ponoka.
The menu also provides a legend of the different criminal files, and within those files can be found the RCMP occurrence number and the date it occurred. Users will be able to scroll through Ponoka County and view the different files, however, it appears the majority of information relates to the Town of Ponoka for now.
“The map citizens have access to is a small indication of the analytical work the RCMP does in locating the individuals that harm communities the most,” adds the RCMP release. “Through an internal version of the application and combined with other technologies, Alberta RCMP can develop geographical crime hotspots to guide targeted enforcement initiatives.”
The exact location of the criminal activity is not posted but estimated to a nearby road.
“Through the Crime Map, we hope to raise Albertans’ awareness level about criminal activities in their backyards so they can report suspicious activity and help us make their neighbourhoods safer,” explained Superintendent Mike Good, operations strategy branch, Alberta RCMP.
The Crime Map allows residents to have a greater awareness of the type of activity in the community and possibly to safeguard their property.
To access Ponoka’s map, head to www.ponoka.ca, click the “Community” tab, then “Protective Services”, and then RCMP & Ambulance Services; from there a link to the interactive map can be clicked on.