Residents using the new 54 Street Road Extension in Rocky Mountain House may have noticed a fairly constant police presence along the wooded area near the railroad crossing.
The recent activity in the wooded zone in the last few weeks involving the RCMP and Rocky Peace Officers, has been regarding squatters setting up camps in the trees on both sides of the road.
The tent community has been removed due to the request from landowners and the Town of Rocky Mountain House.
Police presence for the last few weeks has been both from the initial process of removing the camps, and the follow up from officers ensuring they have not moved back in.
Carl Dinsdale, Rocky RCMP Staff Sergeant, says the squatting issue poses several concerns such as public health, garbage, and of the course the health and safety of those in that situation.
“As we are unable to force these people to seek assistance from the various organizations in town, we certainly contact them to let them know these people may need help.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of movement,” Dinsdale commented in regards to where these people have gone afterwards.
When asked whether or not the RCMP intend to keep up with the squatting issue, he said “We definitely want to stay on top of it and address it as it arises.”
“For a municipality the size of Rocky it’s very difficult to come up with a solution to address this issue. We’re going to keep working on it with our partners and hopefully come up with a solution to address it, but, until there’s a more permanent solution, we just need to stay on top of where these camps are set up.”
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