Residents living along the Alberta border might spot and hear a helicopter above them.
The RCMP Federal Policing Northwest Region has confirmed that a Black Hawk helicopter has started patrolling the provincial border with the United States.
Mounties say patrols will survey the Prairie border for any illegal activity, including the smuggling of humans and drugs. Officials say police officers on-board will be able to respond quickly to any site near the border where they see or get a report of illegal activity.
Members will also be able to direct officers on the ground with the Integrated Border Enforcement Team to any suspicious activity. The IBE team patrols the border in vehicles.
“The range and speed of the Black Hawk allows it to be deployed very quickly to any location along the Alberta border; providing the RCMP with an enhanced rapid-response capability within the province,” says RCMP Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland, Regional Commander for Federal Policing, Northwest Region.
“The Black Hawk is without a doubt an additional and very important air asset that has been brought in to help keep our border with the United Sates secure.”
The RCMP is letting residents know that if they spot or hear the chopper, it is a part of normal police operations and there is no risk to the public.
Similar border patrolling has also started in Manitoba.
–Video supplied by the RCMP.
