Downtown Hanna, Alberta

Hanna town council hears RCMP responds to mental health, domestic violence calls

Stu Salkeld

The Town of Hanna council heard that the local RCMP detachment is
responding to more mental health-related calls and domestic violence
issues. The report was made at the May 28 information meeting of
council.

Readers should note information meetings are not full council meetings
but rather are for reports and presentations only. Any resolutions are
usually held until the next regular council meeting.

Councillors heard the regular quarterly report of Sgt. Robert Welsman,
who presented councillors with an in-depth catalogue of work the Hanna RCMP detachment has done over the past three months.

Welsman observed that the detachment has responded to an increased
number of Mental Health Act-related calls over the past quarter and
stretching back over the past year. Welsman added this seems to be an
increasing trend.

As councillors examined the RCMP stats Welsman also noted that RCMP
officers respond to domestic complaints quite often, including some
that involve violence.

Councillors observed that Hanna RCMP spend a lot of time handling
traffic issues, including collisions with the sergeant adding that
Hanna RCMP are also responding to more bylaw-related complaints. One of the major ones is a loose dog running at large; Welsman stated that RCMP are often asked how they enforce municipal bylaws.

Welsman stated that Hanna RCMP provide first response to a dog running at large complaint, including providing assistance in securing the
loose dog and addressing any safety issues the loose dog may pose
especially if a bylaw officer is unavailable. Also, RCMP can help
collect evidence in these instances for further investigation.

The RCMP commander noted that the local detachment has no room or
facilities for housing delinquent dogs and a housing facility may be
something the Town of Hanna might want to look into.

The sergeant noted the Hanna detachment has also been busy with
community engagement, including a recently held bike rodeo that he
described as very successful, and beginning work on 2025 policing
priorities such as offender management. Welsman stated this involves
checking on offenders within the community who are under court ordered conditions.

Traffic enforcement, noted Welsman, is another major 2025 priority
which Hanna RCMP are focusing on with the help of Alberta government and peace officers.

Mayor Danny Povaschuk noted that assaults appear to be up in number
lately and wondered why. Welsman responded that some of those are part of domestic violence investigations and RCMP usually don’t issue press releases on those incidents.

Mayor Povaschuk then asked if traffic incidents appear to have
dropped, which Welsman responded that they have but warned summer is looming and such incidents will probably climb in number.

Coun. Sandra Beaudoin asked if offences in the quarterly report
involve both locals and out-of-towners. Welsman confirmed yes, any
incidents Hanna RCMP handle are included in the report regardless of
where the offender comes from.

The sergeant noted that things like curfew checks and sobriety
conditions tend to involve local residents, but they could in theory
involve a visitor if local RCMP are given notification beforehand.

The sergeant also described an issue that’s been cropping up with 911
calls. Apparently after heavy precipitation the 911 system will
sometimes get garbled or unidentifiable calls from the outlying areas.
He added that the problem has been discussed with service providers.

Mayor Povaschuk stated that police visibility in the community is
appreciated and enjoyed, especially by youth who seem to really enjoy
getting to know police officers.

Councillors unanimously accepted Welsman’s report for information.