(Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Lake Country Crime

Cottage owners feeling on edge after recent break-ins

Nov 21, 2019 | 9:05 AM

The lakeland area, also known as cottage country, is more often known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, but in the past week the area has become associated with something a lot less pleasant.

According to Prince Albert RCMP, there have been a number of break-ins and thefts, including three stolen vehicles, one of which was later found burned. Sgt. Brian King assured paNOW the detachment was developing a plan to address it.

In the meantime, Karla Bear, President of the Lake Country Crime Watch Group, said there has been a lot of frustration expressed by cabin owners in the area, adding it appears the criminals are not targeting any one specific location.

“I think they are branching out and trying not to hit the same areas quite as frequently,” she said, adding the lack of snow has made it easier for the criminals to move around.

According to one post made this week to the Rural Crime Alert Group – RM’s 463, 488, 490, 491, 520, 521 Facebook group, there were a number of incidents Sunday night in the Okema Beach Road, Macintosh Point, Murray Point, Guise Beach and Emma Lake areas. Another post on Tuesday, reported three break – ins at Courtney Place, and a recent video shared with paNOW showed as many as four people entering a cabin and searching through cupboards, all while the security alarm was sounding.

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Bear encouraged seasonal residents at the lake to have someone to check on their property. Cheryl Bauer Hyde, Reeve for the District of Lakeland, confirmed she too had heard reports of a lot of suspicious vehicles.

“I think it does put people on edge because you are not sure whether it’s someone who is legitimately supposed to be in the neighbourhood or if they are there to scope out places,” she said.

The Christopher Lake and Emma Lake areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Prince Albert RCMP detachment, which is located over 40 km away. Bauer-Hyde said there had been discussion at the council level related to having a closer RCMP presence, but also acknowledged it would not likely be possible.

“I think the reality is they are already spread pretty thin so there just isn’t the staff,” she said, adding the presence of community safety officers and conservation officers has helped reduce crime.

“We moved from an environment where you could leave your door unlocked and have your keys in your vehicle, and really just alerting people that you need to lock up,” she said.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell