Photo: (from left) New Town of Hanna Bylaw Officer Skye Suntjens, CAO Norburn and Coun. Kyle Olsen at the council information meeting Aug. 27. Rural Alberta Report/Screenshot

The Town of Hanna council welcomed a new bylaw officer into the community, and also discussed harassment of such officers as they perform their duties. The discussion was held at the Aug. 27 council information meeting.

Readers should note information meetings aren’t full “regular” meetings and usually only include presentations and other reports for council.

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO Matthew Norburn introduced the Town of Hanna’s new bylaw enforcement officer, Skye Suntjens. “She holds a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a criminal justice policing diploma, bringing a strong academic foundation to the enforcement and interpretation of municipal bylaws and provincial legislation,” stated Norburn in his report to council. “Her background includes working as a seasonal bylaw officer in Drumheller.”

Suntjens was present at the meeting and introduced herself to councillors; the CAO noted Suntjens had also been introducing herself to people in Hanna and getting to know the community.

Norburn stated the new officer had already been getting briefed on things like unsightly premises and problem dogs.

Councillors discussed some of the issue a new bylaw officer would be expected to address in Hanna such as dogs and traffic.

Coun. Sandra Murphy asked if there was a plan in place to protect the bylaw officer from harassment by some Hanna residents; it was inferred several times at the meeting that bylaw officers in the past, when performing their duties, were subjected to aggression and harassment rom some Hanna residents. Murphy observed Hanna’s former bylaw officer had faced some of these issues.

The CAO stated there are plans in place to handle such issues if they occur, including having other town staff accompany Suntjens when approaching certain individuals and possibly having the RCMP attend if necessary. Murphy responded she felt there should be a “zero tolerance” for harrassment.

Coun. Angie Warwick noted that she feels education can often address things like confrontation and aggression and wondered if the Town of Hanna does enough to inform residents what bylaws require of them.

The CAO responded that the town’s traffic bylaw review will require public education. During discussion councillors talked about different methods for educating the public about bylaws. It was also mentioned that a heavy-handed approach isn’t necessarily desirable.

Mayor Danny Povaschuk observed that people who break bylaws shouldn’t be surprised if they get a ticket. “Ultimately Skye has a job to do,” said Povaschuk. “It’s a hard job.” Povaschuk noted that when police cracked down on seatbelts in town, some people contacted him to complain about getting a ticket. Povaschuk pointed out these people all admitted they weren’t wearing a seatbelt.

Councillors also heard that Hanna’s former bylaw officer offered to help out Suntjens while she’s familiarizing herself with the Hanna community.

The CAO noted that the Town of Hanna was in talks with both the Town of Oyen and Village of Delia to possibly offer bylaw enforcement services to those communities as well.

Mayor Povaschuk observed that if Hanna residents have a bylaw complaint the best way to file it is to go through the Town of Hanna’s website.

Councillors thanked Hanna’s former bylaw officer for her service and welcomed Suntjens to the community.