ACCPA ONE-DAY FORUM 2026
Small Towns, Big Struggles
What can a small community realistically do about crime and social disorder?
DATE AND TIME
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
LOCATION
Peace Valley Inns
Peace River, Alberta
Registration fees must be paid in full by Friday, October 23.
One day
9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Presentations in the morning, hands-on workshop in the afternoon.
Peace River
Peace Valley Inns. Hosted in the Peace Region, close to the communities it serves.
$60 members, $75 non-members
Lunch and refreshment breaks included.
Small groups
Afternoon workshop on real-world scenarios from your own community.
WHY PEACE RIVER
Community safety conversations belong in the communities doing the work
For 35 years ACCPA has gathered Albertans who care about preventing crime through the strength of community. Northern and rural municipalities have been among the most consistent voices at that table.
The One-Day Forum brings that conversation to the Peace Region and looks at it from every seat in the room: municipal leadership, community development, policing, the justice system, Indigenous and Métis communities, and the nonprofit sector.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Built for the people on the ground
The Forum is for anyone with a role in keeping their community safe, including members of the public who care about where they live.
CAOs and elected officials
Municipal leaders responsible for community safety and local development.
RCMP and municipal enforcement
Police and peace officers working in small towns and rural areas.
FCSS, victim services and nonprofits
Staff and volunteers who see social disorder up close every day.
Indigenous and Métis community members
Leaders and community members building safer neighbourhoods through trust and relationships.
Business owners
Local employers who feel the cost of crime and perceived safety first.
Members of the public
Anyone who cares about the safety of their community.
THE PROGRAM
Presentations in the morning, hands-on work in the afternoon
01
Morning presentations
9:00–9:30 Opening
Greetings from Minister of Municipal Affairs Dan Williams; Mayor Shannon on Peace River Town Council’s plans for community safety; Peace River RCMP; Métis Society Region 6; and Treaty 8 Cree Nation.
9:30–10:15 The Connection Between Crime and Economic Development
John Beatson, CPTED Alberta (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). How perceived risks to safety and well-being affect economic and community development.
10:15–10:30 Nutrition break
10:30–11:15 Indigenous Perspectives: Building Relationships and Trust
Kimberly Hurst, President, Alberta Citizens on Patrol, on how starting a Citizens on Patrol program in Piikani Nation has led to trust and a safer community.
11:15–12:00 Justice, Treatment, and Community Working Together
How one region addresses addiction-related crime. Krista Hurta, John Howard Society Grande Prairie, and Kimberly Kyle, Grande Prairie RCMP, on the Grande Prairie Drug Treatment Court.
- What is Drug Court and who is involved?
- How does Drug Court help those with addictions?
- How does this affect crime rates?
- How can communities advocate for a drug court in their community?
12:00–12:30 Q&A with the morning presenters
12:30–1:00 Networking lunch
02
Afternoon workshop
1:00–2:15 Broken Windows Theory and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
Broken Windows Theory suggests that a derelict building or property left to sit in a community attracts unwanted individuals and encourages criminal activity. CPTED is one way to address it.
2:15–2:30 Nutrition break
2:30–3:15 Workshop continues
Delegates will be shown pictures of derelict buildings and properties and, working in groups, come up with solutions for how to fix them.
03
Close: What comes next
3:15 ACCPA on social disorder
Why police can’t solve social disorder alone, and why addressing homelessness, addictions, and mental health takes the cooperation of all agencies. Final Q&A.
One issue, seen from different seats in the room: community development, the justice system, nonprofits, and ACCPA, ending with what is within a small community’s reach.
An ACCPA event. The conversation continues at the ACCPA Annual Conference.
What you will walk away with
- A clear picture of how crime and perceived safety influence whether families and businesses choose your community
- Practical examples of how trust and relationships with Indigenous and Métis communities lead to safer neighbourhoods
- How justice, treatment and community partners can work together on addiction-related crime, and how to advocate for it locally
- Hands-on tools for identifying and addressing the physical conditions in a community that invite crime
- A practical view of how agencies can coordinate to address social disorder in a small town
Thank you to our sponsors
Their support keeps the Forum affordable for everyone
Community Partners
Town of Peace River
County of Northern Lights
Canadian Tire Peace RiverCommunity Supporter
Northern Sunrise CountyCommunity Friends
Peace River RCMP Community Advisory Committee
MD of Peace No. 135SPONSORSHIP
Put your organization behind a safer Peace Region
Local sponsorship keeps registration affordable and connects your organization with the leaders shaping community safety across the region. Sponsorship starts at $250 and includes a complimentary registration.
Sponsors receive
- Recognition on event materials and the ACCPA website
- Acknowledgement from the podium on the day
- Complimentary registrations for your team
- Connection with municipal, policing and community leaders
Mark your calendar
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 · 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. · Peace River
$60 for ACCPA members, $75 for non-members. Lunch and refreshment breaks included. Seating is limited to 100. Please share this page with colleagues and community members who should be in the room.
Registration fees must be paid in full by Friday, October 23.