Riverdale policing switch gets mixed reviews

The introduction of RCMP into the Riverdale Municipality has been met with mixed reviews, a little more than a year since rollout.

Mayor Heather Lamb said RCMP have transitioned successfully into the community to replace the now-dissolved Rivers Police Service. The switch has gone better than expected, she said.

“I had my reservations, because we had 111 years of Rivers community policing,” the mayor said. “But I’m happy to know that the level of protection in Riverdale has continued.”

When contacted for a review about the police change-up in September, the mayor and residents gave a mixed bag of reviews to the Sun. Lamb said she has warmed up to the idea after a year.

Even though the RCMP is stationed near Brandon, she said, officers are keeping a presence in her community, and some cases have been confidence-inspiring.

When offroad vehicles were being driven through town this summer, it was dealt with effectively, Lamb said. Warnings and tickets were issued, she said, and the problem was resolved.

It’s one example that has softened her concern about having an out-of-community police service, she said.

“I have a level of comfort that I didn’t have a year ago,” Lamb said. “I probably was harsh on what I was thinking initially.”

“I was concerned that it would be only reactive, but actually there is a regular presence.”

Some residents of Riverdale see things differently. Gerald Traford, who has lived in the community for 12 years, said police presence has dropped — and crimes are increasing as a result.

The offroad vehicles were a clear example, he said. People joyrided offroad vehicles through the community, probably because they recognized the drop in police presence.

“When we had our own cops, everybody knew,” Traford said. “There wasn’t the motorcycles running around on the streets. There wasn’t the quads running around on the streets like there is. Like, they’re busting through stop signs, they don’t care. Who’s gonna say anything?”

It only makes sense that people started behaving differently when the local police headquarters closed up shop, he said.

Traford said he has seen RCMP in the community three times since they launched, whereas the former Rivers Police Service drove past his house every day.

Some people are starting to worry about their safety, he said. And ideas are popping up such as to make a neighbourhood watch, and install cameras on homes.

“I have two ring cameras watching my house, and a third camera watching my yard,” he said. “I don’t feel safe, because people think they can do whatever, with the thefts going on in town, and the vandalism and kids are running around at two, three o’clock in the morning, doing whatever they want.”

Some other residents agreed and said there has been a negative impact on the community. Three complained that drivers have been speeding more, such as in school zones, now that there is less of a police presence built into Riverdale. They also thought theft was rising.

On the other hand, two other residents told the Sun that they do not feel the change has made a difference on the quality of police service. The two added they they no longer worry about being pulled-over by the community police for issues they consider trivial.

RCMP media relations officer Michelle Lissel told the Sun the first year in Riverdale has been marked by efforts to build ties in the area. Officers have been working to grow relationships, however with only a short time since taking over duty for the area, the work will continue.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in just one year, and remain committed to strengthening community trust and safety moving forward,” she said.

The Blue Hills RCMP detachment is now responsible for policing the Riverdale Municipality, which includes Rivers, Carberry, Souris and rural Brandon as well.

» cmcdowell@brandonsun.com