The Grande Prairie Police Service and Grande Prairie Enforcement Services have announced the launch of a new Community Engagement Team in an effort to better address “social disorder” impacting business owners and residents around the city.
According to the GPPS, the creation of the engagement team comes after an “extensive analysis” of the work being done by the former Grande Prairie Public Security Unit in problem areas around GP.
The new team launched on May 1st and the GPPS says will primarily focus on the city’s downtown core where a higher concentration of social disorder has been observed. Additionally, the team will operate in other problem areas of the city such as the city’s park system.
GPPS Chief Dwayne Lakusta, who has spoken extensively regarding his plan for a “tiered policing model,” says the establishment of the CET is another step in creating a “more integrated response” in his police service to better serve Grande Prairie residents.
“The Community Engagement Team will mean increased visibility and patrols in the parts of our city that need it the most,” he says. “Every resident and business owner deserves to feel safe.”
According to the GPPS, the team of Enforcement Services officers will be supported by the city police service when sworn police officers assist the Peace officers with “greater enforcement powers,” granting CET authorities under the Peace Officer Act of Alberta, and the Criminal Code of Canada.
