Barnwell may soon contract Regional Community Standards Unit

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By Trevor Busch

Taber Times

editor@tabertimes.com

With Taber’s Regional Community Standards Unit taking over some areas of enforcement for the MD of Taber, other municipalities in the area have expressed interest in contracting the service.

According to TPS Chief Graham Abela’s January Report to the Taber Municipal Police Commission on Feb. 15, the Village of Barnwell has asked for CSO (community standards officer) work on a contractual basis within their community, and applications have been made with the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

“As you know, the Village of Barnwell has also asked for us to take over some of that responsibility there,” said Abela. “As recently as last Tuesday (Feb. 7) I’ve been told that application is still on the minister’s desk. I’m not sure if it’s just a lower priority, or what, but I’ve asked now for it a couple of times. I think it’s going to be approved – I don’t see why not – it’s just taking some time.”

Staffing priorities for the unit are currently being finalized.

“We are in the final process and stages of hiring the Regional Community Standards officer,” said Abela. “We’re replacing Cst. Dube, and we’re hiring a new officer to take on the Regional Community Standards officer work. We’re advised today that the training date has been pushed back to April 17.”

Service to the MD of Taber is ongoing with the unit taking shape.

“Things have gone very well, we are responding to complaints and proactively engaging in matters within scope of the agreement,” stated Abela in his report.

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