April 21^st, 2021

Exchange Zone Set Up At Fort Saskatchewan RCMP Detachment

As someone who occasionally makes an online purchase and then needs to set up a place to meet and make the transaction, this initiative by the Fort Saskchewan RCMP looks like a great idea. Here are details from their news release.

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP along with Protective Services are excited to let the community know about a new exchange zone that has been set up in front of the detachment.  The exchange zone will consist of 2 parking stalls located towards the south end of the Protective Services Building.  The purpose is to allow the public the ability to meet others when they need to exchange something. 

“We encourage anyone making online purchases, or selling items online, to arrange their meetings with the other party here at the detachment.  If someone isn’t willing to meet you at the detachment, I would consider that a red flag, and would be cautious from there on out” said Insp. Mike McCauley, the Officer in charge of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP.

Another really great use for the exchange zone that the police are encouraging its use for is child custody exchanges.  Cpl. Jennifer Brown, the detachments new Domestic Violence Coordinator said “we actually see a lot of people currently use the front parking lot to exchange kids back and forth.  Some custody orders even have those conditions right in them, so having a designated “Exchange Zone” really makes sense to us”.

It must be noted, that the parking spots are not monitored regularly by the police or staff, however during business hours, one can simply walk into the building if they need assistance.  After hours, people should still call 911 or use the direct line at the front door of the building.

The Fort Saskatchewan RCMP and Protective Services feel this is just another step forward in proactively reducing crime within our community, and are encouraging everyone to start making use of them.

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Dec. 7, 2020

RCMP General Investigation Section charges male in series of historical robberies

Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. – A 12-month investigation into nine different robberies and break and enters that occurred between December 30, 2019 and Jan. 30, 2020 has led to charges against an adult male.

Mitchell Curtis Bitzer (35) is charged with 56 counts including one robbery with a firearm, three assaults with a weapon, four robberies with a weapon, multiple counts of possession of firearms and other weapons as well as several break and enters, theft and breach charges. These charges stem from a spree of robberies and break and enters committed in the towns of Devon, Ashmont, Alberta Beach, Andrew, Thorhild, Blue Ridge and Fort Assiniboine. In several of these robberies the victims were working alone at rural stores or hotels and were bear sprayed by the suspect during the robberies.

The local RCMP detachments utilized the RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) to coordinate the complex investigation into all the occurrences, and as a result linked the suspect responsible. The investigation entailed search warrants, production orders, forensics and statements from over a dozen victims and witnesses.

Bitzer was already custody on other matters when he was charged. He remains in custody and his matter has been set over to Dec. 17, 2020 in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court to speak to bail. No other suspects are being sought in relation to the above incidents.

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