He didn't give the expected answer when asked for his thoughts on a recent day of crime that thrust his community into the spotlight for many of the wrong reasons. Instead, Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi says his community showed determination that should be admired by onlookers — and feared by criminals — in the wake of growing crime stats.
"If you come to Lac La Biche and you've got bad intentions, we've got choppers and police dogs and police forces. We will hunt you down," said the mayor on Thursday night, just hours after RCMP ground forces and a helicopter team worked together to catch the second of two area men wanted in connection with a suspected stolen vehicle ring after a strong police presence took over local streets and the skies over the community.
The search for the two men, who police have yet to identify or lay formal charges against, involved local RCMP, a police helicopter, an RCMP dog unit and the specialized rural crime task force. The search resulted in a vehicle speeding through residential streets in downtown Lac La Biche, a hold and secure notice being given to area schools and a full lockdown at Portage College where one of the suspects ran to escape police. The other suspect was apprehended by police using the RCMP services dog and suffered minor injuries.
The chase and continuous police presence in the community lasted for more than three hours.
'It sends a message'
When asked if he was concerned that the day's crime spree would cast a poor light on the community that is currently in the planning stages of new economic development and tourism strategies, the mayor said his reaction is quite the opposite.
"It sends the message that the people involved took care of it. It's not a negative to me that we are able to respond to difficult things like these," adding that crime reduction in the community continues to be a top issue — with more emphasis to come. "We put the emphasis on reducing crime and getting some of these people off the streets."
Moghrabi said recent meetings with residents in his community — both organized and drop-in meetings — have raised issues about rural crime. He said his council, the administration, municipal peace officers and the RCMP members patrolling the region are all moving in the same direction when it comes to crime prevention. He sees more focus on the issue.
"We are just starting started ... Our residents have asked for it, and we do have more plans."
Moghrabi plans to meet with the local RCMP top brass in the coming days. A meeting of the municipality's Crime Reduction Committee is planned for Monday, December 10.
Moghrabi expects a large crowd.
