Policing in Alberta to December 2, 2013

RCMP press releases

• Pincher Creek RCMP media summary for the week of November 25 to December 2, 2013
• Grande Prairie RCMP ask for public's help to find missing man
• Snowfall/ Travel Advisory for the Lethbridge and surrounding areas
• Suspect sought after Indecent Act in Cochrane
• Grande Prairie RCMP weekend news summary
• Lloydminster cabbie robbed
• See also: Pincher Creek man missing

• Sting operation nets seven contactors

Pincher Creek RCMP Media Summary for the week of November 25 to December 2, 2013


The following is an overview of the nature of the complaints that the Pincher Creek Detachment received for the week of November 25 to December 2, 2013 (to 8:30 am).  Note that the summary indicates what was reported to the police and may not have been substantiated.

Total calls for service - 53
Fraud / Forgery -1
Uttering Threats - 1
Mischief (vandalism) - 3
Theft under $5000 -1
Impaired Driving - 2
Disturbing the Peace - 2
Driving complaints (general) -   2
MV Collisions - 6
Liquor offences - 4
Assistance to General Public (general) - 2
Assistance to other agencies -4
False Alarms - 4
911 calls (invalid) - 3
Animal calls - 2
Prisoners held - 8

Grande Prairie RCMP ask for public's help to find missing man

Grande Prairie RCMP are asking for the public's assistance in locating 47 year old Kevin Joseph HANLON, of Grande Prairie.

HANLON was last seen at work on Monday November 17, 2013.

Missing: Kevin Joseph Hanlon

HANLON is described as:

• Caucasian
• 6'2"
• 220 lbs.
• Short brown hair
• Brown eyes

If you know where HANLON is or have any information of his whereabouts please contact the Grande Prairie RCMP Detachment at (780) 830-5700.

Snowfall/ Travel Advisory for the Lethbridge and surrounding areas

Issued December 2, 10:56 am

Lethbridge RCMP are issuing an advisory for the area to discourage travel today, December 2, 2013. Heavy snowfall is expected and a blizzard warning has been issued through Environment Canada website.

Travel is not recommended and roadways are in poor driving condition.

Further updates can be found at http://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-30_metric_e.html

Snowfall is expected to end late Tuesday afternoon.

Suspect sought after Indecent Act in Cochrane

On November 30, 2013 at approximately 5:30 p.m the Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of a male committing an indecent act. A male approached a 15 year old female and exposed himself to her.

This occurred in the West Pointe area of Cochrane.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in identifying the male and are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact the Cochrane RCMP at 403-851-8000. A composite drawing of the suspect was obtained from the victim and is below.

Composite photo of  Indecent Act suspect

The male is described as:

• Bald
• being in his mid 30's
• 5'11''
• physically fit
• no facial hair
• dark jacket
• jeans
• black rectangular trimmed glasses

Grande Prairie RCMP weekend news summary

Between 4:00 p.m. Friday, November 29, 2013 and 7:00 a.m. today, Monday, December 2, 2013, the Grande Prairie RCMP received 221 reports and/or requests for service, of which included:

 

3 Abandoned Vehicles

10 Assaults

3 Breach of Court Conditions

3 Break and Enters

4 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

27 Disturb the Peace

10 Fail to Remain at Scene of Accident

12 Impaired Driver Complaints

16 False Alarms

1 Fraud

2 Items Lost/Found

17 911 Calls

2 Gaming and Liquor Act

22 Mischief

4 Municipal Bylaw

6 Other Moving Traffic

3 Other Non-Moving Traffic

6 Theft

6 Theft of Motor Vehicle

3 Suspicious Person/Vehicle/Property

19 Traffic Collisions

5 Utter Threats

15 Other (Criminal Code, Provincial Act, Municipal Bylaw)

22 Assistance (General Public, Other Agencies, Other Police)

Lloydminster cabbie robbed

On December 2nd, 2013 at approximately 1:20 am, the Lloydminster RCMP was dispatched to a robbery of a taxi driver on the 4900 block of 46 Street.  The suspect pulled a knife on the taxi driver and demanded money.  Money was handed over and the suspect ran from the taxi with an undisclosed amount of cash.  Police attended the scene quickly, however the suspect was not located.  The suspect is described as a male approximately 5’7’’, wearing a black hoodie and a red hat, between the ages of 25 to 30 years old. The taxi driver did sustain a minor injury during the robbery.

Sting operation nets seven contactors

Seven contractors face charges under Alberta’s consumer protection law following undercover investigations in Calgary and Edmonton. 

The individuals were caught in a proactive sting operation as part of the government’s plan to protect Alberta homeowners. Investigators from the consumer programs branch of Service Alberta posed as homeowners and invited contractors to houses in the two cities to negotiate home renovations. 

“Contractors who try to take advantage of honest, hard-working Albertans should be forewarned that this government has strict consumer protection rules and we will enforce them to the full extent of the law.”

- Manmeet S. Bhullar, Minister of Service Alberta

Between August 19 and September 5, 24 contractors – 13 in Edmonton and 11 in Calgary - visited the homes. To date, seven contractors have been charged with 11 counts under the Fair Trading Act. Other enforcement actions, including administrative monetary penalties, may be pending against some of the remaining contractors.

This is a result of the strong and proactive enforcement actions taken by the government this year that has put new administrative penalties in place, raised the maximum court fine, and door-to-door contact in flood-affected communities to ensure homeowners were aware of their rights when hiring contractors.

Unlicensed prepaid contractors expose Alberta consumers to unnecessary risk because they have not posted a security and their contracts may not meet legal requirements.

Requirements for Prepaid Contractors:

Under Alberta’s consumer protection law, contractors who look for work, discuss or finalize contracts away from a regular place of business, and take payment before work is completed are required to obtain a prepaid contracting licence. Prepaid contractors must post security and use a written contract that includes an itemized price list, start and completion dates, and a statement of consumers’ cancellation rights.

Related information:

Search online to see if a prepaid contractor is licensed.

Tips for hiring a home renovator (pdf).