Cochrane Foothills Protective Association (CFPA) is the Rural Crime Watch Association for the Cochrane and west Airdrie RCMP Detachment jurisdictions, including the Bragg Creek and Springbank areas of Rocky View County.
Who is CFPA?
In 2020, we were excited to celebrate our 50th anniversary. We are one of many crime-watch groups in Alberta focussing on rural crime prevention and supporting community groups. We work with police and enforcement partners to educate our Members and the public on preventing rural crime. We support the education of our Members with crime prevention initiatives via email and community workshops, including access to the Wise Owl Fraud Prevention workshop (seniors’ fraud protection). Our Members also benefit from fan-out alerts, crime prevention tips, protective signage and geospatial crime mapping awareness of criminal or suspicious activities.
Our History
In 1969, a Cochrane Area rancher and other residents formed the COCHRANE FOOTHILLS PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION. Back then, volunteer members accompanied RCMP officers on their patrols acting as guides on back roads and hard to access ranches and farms. As a result, criminal activities lessened. Building on this success, in 1970, CFPA incorporated as a Society. CFPA is a registered charity and a long-standing member of the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association.
TRACETM Pen and Signage Project
A key issue relating to rural crime is the efficient recovery and return of stolen property to its owners. To help with this effort, we are excited to offer our Members a free TRACETM Pen and Rural Crime Watch Signage (while supplies last).
The TRACETM Pen is a micro-dot marking and database system for protecting personal assets. It allows you to mark personalitemsfromstocktrailerstotools to artwork to jewelry and everything in between. Each pen had its own unique DNA Security Code etched in microdots suspended in fluorescent adhesive which is resistant to common chemicals and most environments. This adhesive can be readily located and the microdot’s security code is read by the RCMP’s specialized tools, facilitating owner identification and expediting recovery. For more information on this project please visit our website at www.cfparcw.ca.
Membership
Membership renewals are now due for 2021. Membership fees are $20/year. Renewing Members, as well as new Members, are welcome to participate in our TRACETM Pen and Signage Project. Membership information and application forms are available at www.cfparcw.ca. Questions can be directed to our email info@cfparcw.ca.
Statistics show that areas with an organized Rural Crime Watch have a significant reduction in criminal activity. By reporting suspicious activity in your area IMMEDIATELY to the RCMP 403.932.2211 (Cochrane detachment), you are supporting the quality of life in your community. With the Provincial government funding cutbacks to the RCMP, as a group concerned about the quality of life in our community, we all must become its “eyes and ears.” Report any suspicious activity to the police. Help prevent crime and make your community safer.
