RCMP Unveil New Crime Reduction Tool

RCMP Unveil New Crime Reduction Tool

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

A new crime fighting tool was introduced to members of the Andrew- Willingdon-St. Michael Rural Crime Watch Association during an information meeting at the St. Michael Recreation Centre Feb. 12.

The new crime reduction tool, called the TRACE pen, will now allow police to identify stolen property, lay charges against offenders and return stolen property back to its rightful owners.

Around 120 people listened to Jennifer Kee, a Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist with RCMP K Division, talk about `Project Lock Up` and its new TRACE pen. She explained that when the TRACE pen’s transparent adhesive is applied to an object, it generates a microdot security code which can only be detected under UV lighting. The security code, which positively identifies the property owner, can only be read by members of the RCMP through the use of a portable digital microscope and can only be verified through the RCMP’s online data base.

The TRACE pen can mark up to 50 pieces of property, and comes with a set of general guidelines on how and where to mark property. Kee said if a person wanted to sell or give away one of the pieces of property for example, the item could be edited by the owner by making notes as to who and when they sold or gave the property to through the online data base.

Members of three RCMP detachments were presented with digital portable microscopes during the Feb. 12 meeting. Pictured from left to right are: Sergeant Robert Daisley of the Two Hills RCMP, Cpl. Jennifer Brown of the Fort Saskatchewan RCMP, Cpl. Frederic De Billy of the Vegreville RCMP, Al Ropchan, President of the Andrew-Willingdon-St. Michael Rural Crime Watch Association, and Jennifer Kee, K Division RCMP Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist.

“If you are registered under the ‘Project Lock Up’ program, you get one free TRACE pen and you can purchase one after that,” stated Kee.

Al Ropchan, President of the Andrew-Willingdon-St. Michael Rural Crime Watch Association, said the mark would last indefinitely, unless the property owner sanded or grinded it off. He reiterated the marking, a small micro dot security code can only be detected and identified by police through its data base.

Ropchan said he had been experimenting with the TRACE pen, and recommended people mark their property all at once because the adhesive becomes less effective the longer it remains unused. The association had ordered a number of TRACE pens that were available for purchase at the meeting. The price for rural crime watch members was $35 and $39 for non-members.

Orest Sereda, President of the Greater Lakeland Rural Crime Watch Association, said he came to the meeting specifically to learn about the TRACE pen because he wanted to be able to outline its benefits and demonstrate its usage at the association’s next meeting. Sereda`s seven-year-old grandson Kai, who was also in attendance, was presented with a TRACE pen by Kee who said it was important to involve and educate youth in crime prevention. Sereda said the new initiative was exciting and he couldn’t wait to try it out.

Ropchan presented representatives of the Two Hills, Vegreville and Fort Saskatchewan RCMP detachments with the digital portable microscopes and UV flashlights. The Smoky Lake RCMP Detachment will also receive one of the digital portable microscopes and UV lights. Ropchan said the association purchased the equipment with proceeds from a fundraiser.