Town piloting adjustment to municipal enforcement service hours

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Town of Strathmore is piloting a new iteration of municipal enforcement services, relating to hours of operation and officer to population ratio. 

Previously, local municipal enforcement services were provided from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The pilot is now to have operations be between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

“In addition, the municipal enforcement officer to population ratio was listed as one officer for every 5,000 residents initially and it should be one to every, approximately, one to 3,750,” explained Mark Pretzlaff, director of community and protective services.

“It also should be noted that after following our presentation from the admissible enforcement service department, the staff there will be augmenting their hours for July and in August for two members to start from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.”

He explained town administration aims to conduct research over the course of the summer as to what volume of calls and services were requested, and how local services levels can be augmented.

Pretzlaff added administration intends to return before council following the conclusion of the pilot with the results of the approach. This is likely to take place during the fall. 

“There is also overtime hours associated with this department to augment Strathmore Stampede and other items as necessary,” he said. “If we identify an issue that is being addressed, we have overtime hours available to the peace officers and municipal enforcement team as well as contracted services for a private security company.”

Among the town’s goals for its municipal enforcement is to largely prevent officers from being required to be on shift alone.

Coun. Brent Wiley inquired whether it would be possible for the town to consider a model where some officers would be on shift Monday to Friday, with others working a Tuesday to Saturday week.

“Right now, we only have those four officers. In some capacity and with the summer vacations, you are now looking at individuals that may be working alone on an evening shift throughout,” said Pretzlaff. “I think there is eventually going to be merit to adding additional resources. It may not be our recommendation yet, but that is something that we, once we gather some additional information based on this pilot project, that we can present back to council.”

CAO Kevin Scoble added the idea is effectively meant to aid in building the town’s budget for the next year. 

Instead of the project being tied to the corporate business plan, it was suggested that it more so be looked at in isolation, as it focuses on implementing this council’s strategic priorities.