Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Director of Protective Services Daniel Cress attended Town of Peace River’s meeting on Feb. 25 to give council an update of call reports in January 2025.
The software used by Protective Services allows call volumes to be tracked, including the type of call and complaint received, how the complaint was made, if a ticket was issued, outcomes and a variety of other information. The enforcement tracking software was installed prior to Jan. 15, so statistics for the report only included January.
“The new program that we’re doing, we’re trying to get it set up right, so you guys (council) have a detailed report of what we do,” Cress says. “Warnings (for parking) are illegal and improper parking, not removing during snow removal, or too close to crosswalks.”
Cress says another protective officer is being hired and obtaining equipment for the protective officers.
General overview of the report indicated there were 61 snow removal complaints, one parking ticket issued, one provincial trespass ticket issued, and 25 warnings issued.
A Public Disturbance Bylaw also passed first, second and third reading at the meeting. Cress explains the updated version is to enhance the Town’s and RCMP’s ability to deter unwanted nuisance behaviours in the community and helps to provide enforcement mechanisms when compliance isn’t met. The bylaw was, in large part, created because of the social disorder and public safety concerns experienced last summer.
The administrative team included the purpose of the bylaw is to regulate public behaviours in relation to loitering, panhandling, or other disturbances on highways, streets, sidewalks, alleys and other places in town.