Property crime remains the biggest policing concern in Bonnyville, according to a list of priorities approved by town council during its June 9 meeting.

The priorities were developed by the Town of Bonnyville’s Community Policing Committee after Bonnyville RCMP Staff Sergeant Pinsent requested input on which issues residents and community leaders would like local policing efforts focused on in 2026. Council approved the recommendations and directed administration to forward them to the RCMP detachment.

Leading the list was property crime, including thefts, vehicle thefts and break-ins. Prolific offenders ranked second, while traffic safety placed third. The committee also identified mental health, community involvement, violence against intimate partners and vulnerable persons, bylaw-related concerns and encampments as priorities.

The final rankings approved by council were:

1. Property crime – theft, vehicle theft and break and enter
2. Prolific offenders – property crime, mischief and drug-related incidents
3. Traffic safety
4. Mental health
5. Community involvement
6. Violence against intimate partners or vulnerable persons
7. Bylaw issues – including noise and animal complaints
8. Encampments

The priorities were established through a ranking exercise completed by members of the Community Policing Committee. Property crime received the highest overall score, followed by prolific offenders and traffic safety.

While property crime and repeat offenders topped the list, the rankings also reflect broader community concerns. Mental health ranked fourth overall, while violence involving intimate partners and vulnerable persons ranked sixth, highlighting the increasing role police services play in responding to social and community wellness issues.

The committee unanimously recommended the priorities to council. According to the report presented at the meeting, the goal is to guide local policing efforts and ensure RCMP resources are focused on issues the community identifies as most important.

The approved priorities will now be provided to the Bonnyville RCMP Detachment for consideration as part of its policing plans for the coming year.