WESTLOCK – The closure of provincial courthouses in Westlock, Barrhead and Athabasca due to COVID-19 continues to strain local RCMP detachments.
Town of Westlock mayor Ralph Leriger told councillors at the Aug. 10 meeting that he’s been in conversations with Westlock Staff Sgt. Al Baird regarding the courthouse closures and the impact on the community.
“It just takes boots off the ground and away from the community,” said Leriger.
“And from what I understand we’ve really got an overall lack of court time to clean up these cases so they’re making all kind of decisions of no cash bail and charges being dropped. I think the system is really letting our communities down.”
Baird said they’ve been able to cope with the court venue change, but admitted it depends on the week. As of Aug. 20 he said he hasn’t heard from the province as to a precise date for when the rural courts will re-open.
“It’s hit and miss. Some days I could be sending a ton of people and the next day there may only be one going. But it’s not only for us, but the victims and the witnesses also have to travel St. Albert as well,” said Baird.
“They’ve talked about fall (to re-open), but I guess it all depends on what happens with the pandemic.”
Westlock’s provincial court normally sits every Wednesday, with the exception of the third Wednesday of the month — Westlock’s designated day in St. Albert remains Wednesday and as it stands it’s usually done by 4 p.m. at the latest. In Barrhead, court sits every second and fourth Tuesday and every third Wednesday, while in Athabasca court is in session every Monday. The Boyle courthouse, which falls under the jurisdiction of Fort Saskatchewan, normally sits every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
“We do what we have to do as that’s where the court is. Members that are working that day have to travel to St. Albert which takes them out of our jurisdiction for policing, so we try to balance that to make sure we always keep enough members here,” said Baird.
“But it does create a bit of challenge for us for sure, but we’re not unique as Barrhead and Athabasca are going to St. Albert as well. It’s not ideal and causes some pressures but we have to adjust and move forward.”
