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Central Alberta

Mayor Ken Johnston and County Mayor Jim Wood attending Paris Air Show to sell Central Alberta to aerospace industry

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Mayors of City and County travel to Paris to showcase Central Alberta region economic opportunities

Next week Mayor Ken Johnston of The City of Red Deer and Mayor Jim Wood of Red Deer County will be in Le Bourget, France to embark on an exciting opportunity for economic development and growth for the central Alberta region. This trip is aimed at highlighting that Central Alberta is open and ready for business on the global stage.

The trip is organized by the Government of Alberta, and in partnership with Red Deer Regional Airport will provide an opportunity to attend the Paris Air Show and showcase Central Alberta as a competitive aerospace sector which continues to evolve and is highly regarded in the global aerospace industry.

“Mayor Wood and I will be planting seeds that Central Alberta is the preferred place of doing business in Alberta, that we are an emerging logistics hub, and we are preparing Red Deer for an exciting future,” said Mayor Johnston. “Paris, with its vibrant economy and position as a global business center, provides an ideal platform for us to share the unique opportunities and advantages Central Alberta offers. By participating in this economic development trip and attending the airshow, we aim to foster new relationships, explore investment prospects, and attract global enterprises to our doorstep.”

“Over the years, throughout my 19-year tenure with Red Deer County, I have witnessed tremendous growth and development in both the County and City that is fueled by the dedication and innovation of our local businesses and entrepreneurs. Central Alberta has become a hub of economic activity, attracting investments, and creating jobs. We are now taking the next step to highlight the immense potential of our region to international partners and the partnerships forged during this trip will pave the way for increased trade, knowledge exchange, and collaboration, leading to mutual benefits for all involved,” remarked Mayor Wood.

Mayor’s Wood and Johnston will engage in productive discussions and meetings with government officials, industry leaders, and potential investors, highlighting the strategic advantages of the region, including central location, skilled workforce, diverse economy, and a welcoming business environment. They will work to demonstrate that both The City of Red Deer and Red Deer County are an ideal destination for businesses seeking growth and prosperity.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to Red Deer County and Red Deer Regional Airport for joining hands with us on this journey and to the Government of Alberta for bringing the opportunity to us. Together, we are leveraging our collective strengths to put Central Alberta firmly on the global map,” said Mayor Johnston.

Presenting Central Alberta as a viable investment option will bring new opportunities to our local businesses and contribute to the overall economic vitality of our region. Mayor’s Johnston and Wood are the only Mayor’s attending the Paris Air Show from Alberta.

Expenses for the trip will be a combination of funding from the Red Deer Regional Airport, City of Red Deer and Red Deer County with a large portion personally covered by both Mayor’s.

Alberta

New Sheriffs unit to enhance public safety in Red Deer and Central Alberta

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A new team of Alberta Sheriffs will work alongside police to keep crime out of central Alberta communities by targeting problem properties.

Since 2023, Alberta’s government has invested more than $27 million to help fight crime throughout the province. Building on these efforts, the government is now expanding the Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit with the creation of a new team of investigators in Red Deer. The creation of the Red Deer SCAN team is the latest in a series of measures aimed at enhancing public safety and increasing the Alberta Sheriffs’ ability to support police throughout the province.

The move puts more resources on the ground with a team of qualified experts who will investigate properties where illegal activity has been reported and shut them down through court orders when needed. The Red Deer SCAN team – made up of four Alberta Sheriffs – joins existing SCAN teams in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lethbridge, which have proven immensely effective in working alongside local police to shutter problem properties throughout the province.

“Alberta’s government will always maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward crime of any kind, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs’ SCAN unit reflects that. With the creation of a new SCAN team in Red Deer, we’re expanding the unit’s coverage even further and putting more boots on the ground where they’re needed. Let this be a message to all criminals: you are not welcome here. Communities in the Red Deer area have a right not to be plagued by drug and other criminal activity that create dangerous environments, and Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

The Sheriffs’ SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property, such as drug trafficking, human trafficking and child exploitation. SCAN augments and supports local police to both investigate and close properties where evidence of criminal activity has been confirmed.

“Ensuring safety for law-abiding Albertans is of utmost importance for Alberta’s government and requires a comprehensive approach to effectively combat and prevent criminal activity. This involves enhancing law-enforcement resources, fostering community engagement, implementing crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between Alberta Sheriffs and local police. This SCAN team is a game-changer in central Alberta and puts criminals on notice that they are not welcome here.”

Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South

“The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act holds property owners accountable for activities on their property that threaten public safety. Alberta’s SCAN teams support policing efforts by addressing illegal activities on these properties. This additional team will enhance RCMP community safety programs.”

Assistant Commissioner Trevor Daroux, criminal operations officer, Alberta RCMP

When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit begins an investigation. Once the investigation confirms the activity, investigators contact the property owner to try and resolve the issue informally. If informal efforts are unsuccessful, SCAN can apply to the courts for a community safety order to impose restrictions and conditions on the property and its owner, which could include closing the property for up to 90 days. Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with these properties is turned over to the police to investigate.

“Over the years, SCAN’s impact on community safety has been profound. More often than not, we see individuals in these problem properties carrying out drug operations and other criminal activities beside homes, schools, playgrounds and other places where Albertans’ safety should never be in question. Crime has no place in any Alberta neighbourhood, and we look forward to working with our policing partners in the Red Deer area to help keep central Alberta communities safe.”

Mike Letourneau, superintendent, Alberta Sheriffs

SCAN continues to see tremendous success, having closed problem properties in Lethbridge, Calgary, Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat in the last six months alone. Since May 2024, Alberta’s government has publicly announced the closure of seven problem properties by SCAN, including three in Calgary, two in Lethbridge, and one each in Spruce Grove and Medicine Hat.

“Creating a safer environment for our citizens improves the overall quality of our community in Red Deer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta’s government, SCAN and all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe. This is great news for the City of Red Deer, and together, we can make our community safer. I encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the SCAN unit.”

Ken Johnston, mayor, City of Red Deer

The Red Deer SCAN team’s operational boundaries encompass the city of Red Deer and its surrounding communities and rural areas, providing coverage to the central area spanning Ponoka to the north and Olds to the south.

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Blackfalds

Drugs and guns seized in Blackfalds bust: RCMP

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From Blackfalds RCMP

Blackfalds RCMP execute search warrant seizing drugs and guns

Blackfalds, Alta. – In September of 2024 the Blackfalds RCMP General Investigation Section (GIS) with assistance from Sylvan Lake GIS  entered into an investigation involving an individual believed to be trafficking drugs in the community. As a result of the investigation, on Oct. 2, 2024, Blackfalds RCMP with assistance from Innisfail RCMP GIS and Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Service executed a search warrant at a home in Blackfalds.

As a result of the search RCMP seized:

  • 253 grams of Cocaine
  • $3343 in Currency
  • 6 firearms

RCMP have arrested and charged Blackfalds resident, Lotus Joan Silver Stalteri-Roberts (25), with:

  • Possession for the purpose of trafficking;
  • Possession of stolen property under $5000;
  • Weapons offences (x8).

Stalteri-Roberts was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with her next court date set for Oct. 3, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

“This investigation saw the effective coordination of different RCMP Detachments and Sections to quickly and safely remove these drugs and guns from our community,” says Staff Sergeant Andrew Allan.

If you have any information about this investigation or about drug trafficking in the Blackfalds area please contact Blackfalds RCMP at 403-885-3333 or submit an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.

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