WOODLANDS COUNTY – Woodlands County Council received the 2024 year-end enforcement report from Inspector Dallas Choma of Lac Ste. Anne Enforcement Services during its March 26 meeting, highlighting increased calls for service, community engagement, and ongoing efforts to improve safety and compliance across the region.
“There’s been a noticeable increase in call volumes,” said Choma. “I believe that’s largely due to better communication of our complaint line.”
In 2024, enforcement officers issued 164 citations, generating approximately $38,000 in revenue. In addition, 44 warnings were issued, valued at an estimated $9,000. Choma noted that officers are exercising greater discretion when responding to incidents, following direction from council to show leniency when appropriate and reserve fines for more serious infractions.
The top violation was speeding, with 95 citations issued for exceeding posted limits on highways. Other common infractions included operating a motor vehicle without insurance, driving without an operator’s license, dogs at large, failing to provide registration, and speeding in construction zones. Animal control calls also rose, with 17 incidents reported in the latter half of the year.
Choma emphasized that public awareness of enforcement services is growing. Dispatch received 27 calls, while officers responded to 17 email complaints and initiated four incidents based on their own observations. The busiest time for enforcement activity was Wednesdays at 1 p.m.
Patrols were conducted in various areas including Shuman Lake during the offseason and the Blue Ridge Recreation Area. Officers also maintained a regular presence in subdivisions and worked closely with the RCMP to address problem properties, assisting with removals and property recovery.
Routine patrols included checks on transfer stations and the regional landfill to ensure secure loads, as well as monitoring trucks for compliance with weight regulations to protect municipal infrastructure.
While responding to stray animal complaints, Choma noted a gap in enforcement authority.
“Woodlands County currently lacks a livestock bylaw, which limits our ability to respond to certain cases,” he said. He recommended adopting the Stray Animal Act, which would expand officers’ authority to manage such issues effectively.
Choma also advocated for extending enforcement powers under the Forest and Prairie Protection Act to support wildfire prevention, citing the county’s large forested areas. Additional authority under the Alberta Public Lands Act would allow officers to address unauthorized camping, off-highway vehicle misuse, and environmental damage on Crown land.
“These tools would allow us to issue fines and warnings, improve public education, and promote responsible land use,” Choma said. “They would also enhance collaboration with RCMP, Fish and Wildlife, and Forestry, leading to quicker response times and more effective enforcement.”
Overall, Choma said the year was marked by strong community engagement, effective incident management, and a proactive approach to safety and environmental stewardship across Woodlands County.
