By Taylor Chartrand

RCMP presence will be noticeable this Victoria Day long weekend

May 17, 2019 | 2:07 PM

REDCLIFF, AB – Heading into the Victoria Day long weekend, Redcliff RCMP say their number one commitment is ensuring public safety.

“On the highways, we’re going to look at four-different main factors,” explained Corporal Shane Ryan. “Impaired driving, we want to keep that to a minimum and reduce it if at all possible. Distracted driving is another leading cause of deaths in the province. We’re going to ensure people are wearing their seat-belts, so if they do end up in an accident they’re safe and we want to ensure people are maintaining a decent speed for the road conditions.”

Generally, Ryan says long weekends are busy for the RCMP.

“We have Highway 1 here and we have a provincial park nearby. So, we do have a lot of traffic and that in itself makes things busy. As far as police calls for service, there’s a lot of different factors that come into play and long weekends don’t always necessarily play into that, but they can be busier.” 

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Although things may be a little more active on the Highways, Ryan says they haven’t had a ton of issues in the past with campers come May long.

“We haven’t had any major issues, but there’s always been a liquor ban May long with our provincial park. This year, with the liquor ban lifted, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Ryan says Premier Jason Kenney’s end to the drinking restrictions this weekend, will not play a factor in how the RCMP does business.

“We’re going to have that in mind that there may be more drinking going on in the parks, but the conservation officers out there are fantastic and they can deal with almost anything that comes along. We rarely have to assist them and when we do, we’re more than happy to do so.”

Ryan believes the rain and cooler weather may also deter people from drinking.

“It’s a typical May long weekend, it’s raining and it’s chilly. So, that may diminish some of the drinking that goes on and the resulting calls from that.” 

He says residents can expect to see RCMP patrolling the area, as a healthy police-presence generally helps calm things down.