BASSANO RCMP DETATCHMENT Monthly Mounty Memo – October 2024

Bassano RCMP – Media Release – Local – October 1st, 2024  – Stolen Vehicle and Drug Seizure: File 2024-1447545\

On October 1^st 2024 at 10:00 am, Bassano RMCP located a stolen vehicle from Calgary in the Bassano Esso parking lot. The vehicle was occupied and the driver and passenger were taken in to custody. 60 grams of suspected fentanyl was located, as well as various other weapons. Both were arrested and held in cells for a Judicial Interim Release hearing. 36-year-old High River resident, Cole MCLEAN, was charged with Failing to Comply with a Release Order and Cecily MATHER was arrested on an outstanding Traffic Safety Act warrant.  Both are facing additional charges of Possession for the Purposes of Trafficking and Possession of Stolen Property over $5000.00. The investigation is still ongoing.

Bassano RCMP focus on pedestrian safety this October:

Bassano, Alta. – Fall is a season of change in Alberta. Days are getting shorter, which can heavily impact visibility and driving conditions. This October, the Bassano RCMP offers the following safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians to ensure the safety of all road users:

Drivers:

• Be mindful when driving in school and playground zones, especially in the early mornings or late afternoons. Drive the speed limit, to ensure you are able to brake and come to a stop quickly if needed.
• Never pass vehicles that are stopped at a crosswalk. There may be pedestrians crossing you cannot see.
• Do not assume pedestrians see you. Always make eye contact before turning at an intersection and ensure that pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk before you enter it.
• Marked or unmarked, crosswalks exist at all intersections. Always yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk. 

Pedestrians:

• Follow the rules of the road and obey all posted signs and signals.
• Always try to cross streets at marked crosswalks. If a crosswalk is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic, and only cross when it’s safe to do so.
• Make sure that you are visible to motorists and that all vehicles have stopped before you enter a crosswalk.
• If you are walking when it is dark out or visibility is low, consider wearing high-visibility gear or clothing.
• If there is no sidewalk available, and you have to walk on a street, make sure to walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

For more traffic safety information, follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.

Bassano RCMP remind is reminding you to secure your seasonal properties:

Bassano, Alta. – With summer officially having come to an end, many Albertans will be winterizing and locking up their summer properties. Seasonal properties can be tempting targets for criminals. They frequently have expensive recreational items and can go long periods between use, allowing crimes to go unnoticed. It’s important to make sure that you’re keeping crime prevention in mind and taking steps to ensure the safety of your properties.

Bassano RCMP offers the following tips to keep your seasonal property safe:

• Take home all valuables, including expensive tools and electronics, and properly lock up anything left behind.
• Make sure all doors, windows, gates, and outbuildings are secured.
• If you have a hunting property, always ensure that your firearms or any other hunting equipment is safely secured even inside a locked property.
• If storing off-highway vehicles, empty all gas from the tank and block the vehicle so it cannot be easily removed from the premise.
• Installing security cameras and an alarm system let’s you monitor your property from a distance and is a deterrent to thieves.
• Try to visit your property regularly, clear snow off paths to give the illusion of use, and inspect for any damages or thefts, so they can be reported in a timely manner.

Commander Comments:

Although there are not as many seasonal and recreation properties in the Bassano area, these tips for safeguarding apply to many facets with Bassano and the surrounding rural areas. Shops, hayshed’s, farm equipment, pivots, travel trailers and recreation vehicles are all prime targets for rural property crime.

As the areas are less frequented during the late fall/winter months – they are left more vulnerable to thieves and thefts. Please ensure your property is made secure, in-operable (for equipment) and the use of wildlife and CCTV cameras are encouraged to assist Police in identifying the suspects should an instance of theft or damage occur. Please report any suspicious vehicle or activity that you observe to Bassano RCMP as soon as possible.

Sgt. Joe Schmidt Bassano Detachment Commander

For more tips on how you can keep your properties safe, visit the RCMP YouTube Page: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design – YouTube, or follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.

Monthly MOUNTIE MEMO

September 2024

In September 2024, Bassano RCMP responded to 92 events/calls for service. Including various levels of criminal, traffic and public assistance related files. Below is a snapshot of some of the various calls of service Bassano RCMP attended:

Break and Enter / Theft of Tools:

On September 9^th, Bassano RCMP responded to a report of a break and enter to worksite near township 211 and Range Road 185.  The residence was under construction and during the previous evening hours, the side door was pried open. Two enclosed trailers on the site were left unsecured and also entered.

Stolen were numerous DeWalt power tools, batteries and rolls of copper wire nearing a total of $30.000.00.

There was no CCTV or witnesses located.  There was no evidence on scene conducive for a forensic investigation. The investigation is still ongoing but thus far, has lead to no suspects.

Theft of Hay:

On September 17^th, just west of Hussar, 52 large bales of hay were stolen overnight from the field. There was no CCTV, witnesses or avenue to locate the hay and differentiate it between other hay nearby to lead to any suspects. 

Fraud Scam:

On September 18^th, Bassano RCMP began investigating a phone scam report where a 74-year-old resident was targeted. The scam was completed over the phone from a fake Bit Coin representative. The Victim had $400, 000.00 transferred into their bank account from the scammer and was then asked to provide all their banking and personal details in order to access the funds. Once all information was given, The Victim had the $400,000.00 removed from their account as well as another $40,000.00 of their own money. The investigation is ongoing.

Bassano RCMP is planning a Fraud Investigation Community Presentation to address this all-to-common issue, mainly targeting our elderly/vulnerable population.

Police & Public Education: Help us – Help you!

Bassano RCMP remind is reminding you to secure your seasonal properties:

Bassano, Alta. – With summer officially having come to an end, many Albertans will be winterizing and locking up their summer properties. Seasonal properties can be tempting targets for criminals. They frequently have expensive recreational items and can go long periods between use, allowing crimes to go unnoticed. It’s important to make sure that you’re keeping crime prevention in mind and taking steps to ensure the safety of your properties.

Bassano RCMP offers the following tips to keep your seasonal property safe:

• Take home all valuables, including expensive tools and electronics, and properly lock up anything left behind.
• Make sure all doors, windows, gates, and outbuildings are secured.
• If you have a hunting property, always ensure that your firearms or any other hunting equipment is safely secured even inside a locked property.
• If storing off-highway vehicles, empty all gas from the tank and block the vehicle so it cannot be easily removed from the premise.
• Installing security cameras and an alarm system let’s you monitor your property from a distance and is a deterrent to thieves.
• Try to visit your property regularly, clear snow off paths to give the illusion of use, and inspect for any damages or thefts, so they can be reported in a timely manner.

Commander Comments:

       “Although there are not as many seasonal and recreation properties in the Bassano area, these tips for safeguarding apply to many facets with Bassano and the surrounding rural areas. Shops, hayshed’s, farm equipment, pivots, travel trailers and recreation vehicles are all prime targets for rural property crime.

As the areas are less frequented during the late fall/winter months – they are left more vulnerable to thieves and thefts. Please ensure your property is made secure, in-operable (for equipment) and the use of wildlife and CCTV cameras are encouraged to assist Police in identifying the suspects should an instance of theft or damage occur. Sgt. Joe Schmidt Bassano Detachment Commander “.

For more tips on how you can keep your properties safe, visit the RCMP YouTube Page: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design – YouTube, or follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.

Bassano RCMP focus on pedestrian safety this October:

Bassano, Alta. – Fall is a season of change in Alberta. Days are getting shorter, which can heavily impact visibility and driving conditions. This October, the Bassano RCMP offers the following safety tips for both drivers and pedestrians to ensure the safety of all road users:

• Drivers:
• Be mindful when driving in school and playground zones, especially in the early mornings or late afternoons. Drive the speed limit, to ensure you are able to brake and come to a stop quickly if needed.
• Never pass vehicles that are stopped at a crosswalk. There may be pedestrians crossing you cannot see.
• Do not assume pedestrians see you. Always make eye contact before turning at an intersection and ensure that pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk before you enter it.
• Marked or unmarked, crosswalks exist at all intersections. Always yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk. 
•  
• Pedestrians:
• Follow the rules of the road and obey all posted signs and signals.
• Always try to cross streets at marked crosswalks. If a crosswalk is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic, and only cross when it’s safe to do so.
• Make sure that you are visible to motorists and that all vehicles have stopped before you enter a crosswalk.
• If you are walking when it is dark out or visibility is low, consider wearing high-visibility gear or clothing.
• If there is no sidewalk available, and you have to walk on a street, make sure to walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.

For more traffic safety information, follow us on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and on X @RCMPAlberta.

Regards,

Sgt. Joe Schmidt

Detachment Commander

Bassano RCMP Detachment