Rural crime continues to be a hot topic in the Foothills.

David Culbert, the President of the Foothills Rural Crime Watch Association says he's seen a staggering rise in rural crime, and says a lot of it is fueled by drugs.

"I don't think it's the RCMP's fault. Acreage owners and farm owners are easing pickings."

Culbert says you just never know what the bad guys are packing. Typically there's nobody home, especially with farming season coming up. A lot of people aren't going to be at home, they're going to be out in the fields working, just easy targets. The RCMP, you know, they're just doing what they can."

Culbert says you should never confront criminals on your property.

"You don't know what these guys have. They could be armed, high on drugs. You're not sure what they're capable of. You best just leave them alone, call the cops and let them do their job."

The Foothills Rural Crime Watch Association is holding their annual general meeting Monday, March 26 at 7 o'clock at the Odd Fellows hall in High River.

Culbert says they'll have some special guest speakers on hand before the meeting gets going.

 

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