A meeting that allowed Melfort-area residents to ask questions of the local RCMP that saw around 20 attend was dominated by questions about rural crime.
“My question is: what’s the protocol for people that are being invaded in a rural farmyard?” said one audience member at the March 22 Melfort RCMP town hall meeting.
S/Sgt. Deon Marquis of the Melfort RCMP said that would depend on the particulars of the situation.
“I can tell you that if a situation arises, dial 911 and we will come and help.”
“What happens if they’re breaking into your house when you’re in your home on a farm?” asked another audience member.
“Call us and try not to be confrontive.”
The questions then became more and more specific. Marquis told the audience a lot of those answers would depend on what’s decided by a court of law.
“Every instance is different, so for somebody to ask on what they can do and what they can’t, that’s left for the lawyers to decide,” he told media afterwards. “Every situation is different, so it’s hard to get a true and fast answer to that.”
In 2017, property crime was down in the area around Melfort, with 478 property crimes committed, compared to 614 in 2016.
The town hall meeting was only a part of a day-long event that included presentations about fraud, internet child exploitation and police dog services.
“Overall, it’s been a very informative session all day,” Marquis said. “The turnouts have been up and down for various topics, but the impression that I’m getting from all of the audiences that are here is that the Melfort RCMP is doing a good job.”
The staff sergeant said the RCMP’s priorities, developed together with local communities and RMs, are enforcement of traffic laws related to driving while impaired, being more visible out in the RMs, being visible in school zones, and keeping an eye on repeat offenders and ensuring they’re following the conditions imposed on them by judges.
Marquis said he hasn’t heard of any communities in his area working to set up a rural crime watch, but he’s asking local citizens to call them when they see something suspicious.
“You are our eyes and ears. You see what’s going on and the descriptions, what criminal activity is taking place is important to us.”
With the information given by locals, the RCMP can then strategically deploy resources where needed.
The RCMP also reported that traffic charges increased from 745 in 2016 to 1,122 in 2017 and that crimes against people like assaults and threats have increased from 265 in 2016 to 297 in 2017.
