Despite a rash of crime this summer, crime prevention will remain status quo in the small rural community of Nordegg — for now.

Members of the Nordegg Community Association (NCA) recently proposed to Clearwater County council the installation of two security masts at both entrances to the Nordegg north subdivision. County officials estimate the masts would cost around $7,000 per month to operate.

It was determined that putting up the towers would pose a number of other challenges, including having to create a new municipal service level.

The system would require monitoring 24 hours a day, though the NCA says community members could step into the remote surveillance role.

Along with video surveillance, the systems would sound a siren if a suspicious or unknown vehicle was detected.

Coun. Neil Ratcliffe questioned not only the cost, but if the masts would become a nuisance by setting off false alarms in the middle of the night.

Coun. Genny Mehlhaff also raised concerns about the cost, saying money could be better used to commission another CPO to provide enforcement across the county.

Clearwater County CPOs, also referred to as Highway Patrol, are employed by the municipality and enforce several provincial acts, including non-urgent community calls under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Masts aside, Reeve Michelle Swanson pointed out the rewrite of the county’s Land Use Bylaw (LUB) would provide greater latitude for landowners to install security gates.

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• • Clearwater County tables second reading of contentious Land Use Bylaw (LUB)

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While Clearwater County CAO Rick Emmons empathized with those who have been affected by rural crime, he says there aren’t many tools at the county’s disposal.

“The province of Alberta does not give municipalities the authority to deal [with issues] on this level,” he says. “The only thing we have are CPOs, and they’re not given authority from the solicitor general.”

Back in July, two members of the Nordegg Community Association appeared before council raising concerns about “masked, grown men” lurking around the hamlet at night; brazenly stealing ATVs right out of people’s yards.

The members, Derek Bostock and Eric Smith, also spoke of 2025 being a year of significant vandalism in the community.

Alberta RCMP confirm to 94.5 Rewind Radio News there were three reports of ATV theft to start June, then three more throughout July — which, for a community as sparsely populated as Nordegg, is enough to create havoc, RCMP acknowledge.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 6 of this year, Rocky Mountain House RCMP took 56 calls for service from Nordegg, close to two per week on average.

None were for major crimes or serious persons crimes, while three were for break and enter, five were for collisions, two were for uttering threats, and there were 12 calls for theft.

Alberta RCMP notes that with the number of vacation properties in Nordegg, calls about crime often come a few days after the fact once the property owner has actually returned.

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RELATED

• • ‘Masked, grown men’ Nordegg residents sound alarm about rising crime

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Council heard that the county already spends over $1.3 million annually under the province’s Police Funding Model (PFM); an amount expected to increase in the coming years.

Following consultation with the RCMP, a number of recommendations were provided:

• Always store OHVs in a locked garage or secured shed when not in use, and remove the keys
  from the ignition.
• Follow a nightly routine to ensure all vehicles, equipment, and buildings are locked and secure
  before going to bed.
• Install motion-sensor and exterior lighting to deter trespassers and improve visibility around
  your property at night.
• Use light timers for both interior and exterior lights to give the appearance that someone is
  home, even when you’re not.
• Invest in anti-theft devices, such as steering locks, wheel locks, or GPS trackers designed for
  recreational vehicles.
• Secure trailers used to transport OHVs with hitch locks or wheel boots when parked.
• Engrave or mark your OHVs and equipment with a unique identifier (such as your driver’s
  license number) to help police recover stolen property.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your recreational vehicles, including photos, serial numbers, and
  identifying features.
• Do not leave fuel, tools, or equipment unattended or visible, as these can also be targets for
  theft.
• Report suspicious activity in your neighborhood to local law enforcement. Community
  awareness is one of the best deterrents to property crime