Airdrie Council with blue wristbands in support of Anti-Bullying awareness (Photo: Bradley Jones)

Airdrie RCMP would like to see more involvement from the community to enforce the Anti-Bullying provisions of the Public Behaviour Bylaw.

In a report brought forth to council Tuesday, the RCMP presented the effectiveness of the Anti-Bullying section of the bylaw and how they're able to enforce it.

The RCMP have had 24 bullying incidents under the Criminal Code last year, but no charges have been laid since the bylaw was enacted in 2013.

Despite a lack of consistent results, the RCMP recommended that the Anti-Bullying portion of the Public Behaviour Bylaw remain in place, wanting local schools to get more involved to help educate others about the effects of bullying on the community.

The RCMP said they want schools to take on more bullying issues as the majority of cases can be prevented through proper education, counselling and early awareness before police needs to step in and get involved.

Adding that they do not need any more resources to enforce the bylaw, the police said the majority of criminal cases are swiftly deal with under the Criminal Code of Canada, and that efforts should now be focused on prevention in order to limit future incidents that need to be handled by the RCMP.

Council motioned Tuesday to schedule a joint meeting with school trustees and the RCMP to find new solutions to prevent the spread of bullying and how all three parties can play a part in the success of the Public Behaviour Bylaw.

Bradley Jones - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com