The Blaine Lake RCMP detachment has announced their top priority for the next year in their annual performance plan (APP). Seatbelt monitoring has been identified as a priority for the detachment's current fiscal year of April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013.
The APP outlines how the detachment intends to address the priorities identified through assessing traffic infractions and consultation with local municipal government and RCMP staff.
Many of the facets are enforcement-based and contribute to making communities safer places for everyone. Annual performance plan (APP) for the 2012/13 fiscal year is a product of how the RCMP have interpreted the community's priorities and aligned them with the RCMP's national, divisional and detachment priorities. Although each community's needs within the policing area are unique, policing priorities are the same.
"There are a number of things that are always top priority for us," commented Sgt. Redlich of the BL RCMP detachment, "items that never come off our areas of concern. The annual performance plan is for areas when we have extra time or resources then we can focus those energies towards our APP which we have identified as seat belt enforcement."
"Each year, each RCMP detachment initiates an annual performance plan," comments Sgt. Redlich, explaining that the detachment must be strategically focused and accountable.
BL detachment area covers 4,400 square kilometres and encompasses the areas of Leask, Marcelin, Speers, Richard, Mayfair, and Petrofka Bridge at the North Saskatchewan River. There will be increased visibility of patrol cars within the rural areas as well. Whether it's grid, paved, primary or secondary highways, motor vehicle operators and passenger safety are priority. Fines start at $175.
"We are attempting to improve the safety of individuals travelling on roads," explained Sargent Redlich, emphasizing SGI statistics indicate that seatbelts do save lives and usage does result in less injuries. In 2009, 61 individuals were killed because they were not wearing seatbelts and 33 per cent were seriously injured in vehicle collisions when not wearing seatbelts.
It is Sgt. Redlich's goal to keep the community leaders informed of the progress of the APP throughout the year. He concluded by saying, "at the end of the day, the whole idea is to make our roads a safer place to be."
