BARRHEAD - The Barrhead Area Regional Crime Coalition’s plan to stage a one-day crime and prevention trade show’s one step closer to reality.
On Dec. 3, County of Barrhead councillors unanimously approved a $10,000 request from BARCC.
BARCC is a partnership between Woodlands County, the Town of Barrhead and the County of Barrhead, as well as the Barrhead RCMP and Rural Crime Watch.
It was formed in the spring of 2018, in part due to discussions Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen had with all parties in around initiatives to combat rural crime.
In September, in the County of Barrhead council chambers, Municipal Affairs minister Kaycee Madu awarded the three partners the 2019 Minister’s Awards for Municipal Excellence -Outstanding Achievement Award.
BARCC won the award for its unique approach in using technology to “leverage the eyes and ears of the public” to address rural crime.
As part of the initiative, BARCC has set up a software-based system that allows the municipalities, Rural Crime Watch and the RCMP broadcast messages via automated phone calls, e-mails, and texts, about items of public interest.
The money will be put towards a one-day crime prevention trade show in Barrhead this spring. BARCC made the same request of all its municipal partners.
The event would be a trade show with vendors setting up information booths about their products and/or services.
County manager Debbie Oyarzun noted BARCC is hoping to arrange for two specialized guest speakers to highlight the event.
“A Crown prosecutor to provide information on property rights and updates on legislation changes, as well as an ex-convict to share their story and what caused them to change their path, are just some of the ideas being bandied around,” she said.
Oyarzun added that although $30,000 might sound like a lot of money for a tradeshow, she noted the majority, if not all, would be recovered.
There is even a chance that the event would make a profit.
“The vendors would be paying for their booths and there is a whole range of sponsorship packages,” she said.
Booth prices have been tentatively set at $300 while sponsorship packages range from $500 to $15,000.
“[Peace River-Westlock MP] Arnold Viersen has identified a grant we can apply for,” Oyarzun said.
She also noted in their recent 2020 budget survey, county residents identified rural crime and enforcement as their most pressing concern.
“This would engage the community and get them involved and demonstrate your support and understanding on what they feel is most important,” Oyarzun said.
Woodlands County
Woodlands County councillors also discussed making a $10,000 contribution towards the Rural Crime Fair in May during their Dec. 3 meeting in Fort Assiniboine.
Goose Lake/Freeman River Coun. Dale McQueen brought up the issue, noting that while BARCC is unsure of how much the crime fair will cost, they figure they will need $30,000 to start things off.
He added he is confident that the county would recoup its money.
Chief administrative officer Gordon Frank suggested that McQueen put forward a motion for administration to draft a proposal regarding the $10,000 contribution and bring it to the Dec. 17 council meeting.
McQueen then put forward the motion, which was passed unanimously.
On a side note, Whitecourt Central Coun. Ron Govenlock noted that during the last Protective Services Committee meeting on Nov. 27, it was brought up that the Town of Whitecourt/Whitecourt RCMP might be interested in joining BARCC.
He noted there will be discussions between BARCC representatives and the town and Whitecourt RCMP in the near future, and he expected to hear the results of those discussions by the next Protective Services committee meeting at the end of January.
McQueen added he hoped to see the Whitecourt RCMP join the service, as that would cover the end of the county that’s not closest to Barrhead.
Blue Ridge Coun. Bruce Prestidge also said he had spoken to one of the mayoral candidates for Yellowhead County, and if they win, they might look at joining or establishing their own service similar to BARCC.
