Alberta RCMP will be utilizing several strategies to protect evacuated communities during wildfire season.
The 2023 wildfire season had no credible reports of looting, with below-average instances of break-and-enters and trespassing, according to a release.
This year's strategies include:
Perimeter control. By maintaining tight access control into an evacuated community, Alberta RCMP can ascertain who’s authorized to work in a specific area and who might be unlawfully in the community.
Roving patrols. With the perimeter secured, marked police car patrols will regularly move through the community looking for signs of criminal activities, as well as individuals who are not authorized to be in the evacuated area. To enhance patrolling ability throughout the night, advanced optical and night vision technology mounted on Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) is being utilized to identify and pinpoint suspicious activity.
Quick response teams. Special tactical operations and emergency response teams are in place to react to any incidents. These members are trained officers equipped to deal with the most sensitive and dangerous situations.
Investigative teams. Experienced investigators will analyze reports of suspicious activity and individuals. Investigators will conduct investigations of priority offenders, and criminal hot spots and utilize both overt and covert techniques to suppress crime and arrest those looking to take advantage of the evacuation.
Crime reduction techniques. Various crime reduction equipment and strategies are being implemented within and around the evacuated areas. Bait vehicles and equipment for the most opportunistic offenders are being utilized to catch criminals in the act. Specialized crime reduction teams utilize covert crime detection and overt crime suppression strategies focusing on the most priority offenders who are causing the most harm to our communities.
"Please help us to keep everyone safe by listening to the advice from local authorities and staying away from evacuated areas until you have been cleared to return," noted the release.
The Alberta RCMP have a series of videos outlining advice to protect property at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcKXZtPXANcruAdyWOrXnHqQ3DdG_hcd7
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