Life in a small town, Edson Alberta

[Sample00]

Well by now I suspect many of you have heard of the recent tragic event that has plagued the community that I call home.

Things like that aren't suppose to happen in small town Alberta. Hell, things like that aren't suppose to happen in any town or city.

On Saturday a young girl aged 14, while walking along a trail behind a subdivision was accosted and subsequently killed. The RCMP from town and from many of the surrounding areas have instituted a massive manhunt for the individual. The tragic incident has sent the town into a tizzy. Children and adults alike are frightened and the town has a strange feel to it.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the young lady that was murdered. Although, I did not know her, I know people that did and they described as cheerful, intelligent and talented individual. Her father was the Pastor at the local Baptist church. Her beliefs were strong. I understand she was a pleasure to know.

Fast Forward to today and yet another lady accosted at 1:30PM this afternoon. The lady in her early 20;s was attacked by a male in his mid 20's on a trail by the local Tim Hortons. A full blown manhunt is underway here in town as they search for the individual. Thankfully the lady was not hurt and was taken to hospital and subsequently released.

Schools are locked down. I was called to pick up my son even though my wife is the Vice Principal of his school. Children are terrified as are many adults.

This is not suppose to happen to small town Alberta. Has society changed so much that we are made to live in fear if we wonder outside?

Its pathetic and frustrating. Local RCMP is urging residents not to take a vigilante approach to this and they want residents to call 911 if they seem something.

Its hard not to get angry when this happens in your town. But I will say this, the RCMP dont get the credit they deserve. Some are running on fumes as they have had little to know sleep in trying to find the individual that attacked the 14 year old. NOW, they have to track down another suspect. The RCMP here have been a rock and they should really be give kudos for what they have done so far.

If it seems like I am rambling a bit, I probably am. I sit here angry and frustrated. I worry about my kids and my wife. Lets hope they get this guy soon.

My apologies for venting in a forum like this. I need to spew a bit.

[Gozer]

Best of wishes from CP!

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by Sample00

Well by now I suspect many of you have heard of the recent tragic event that has plagued the community that I call home.

Things like that aren't suppose to happen in small town Alberta. Hell, things like that aren't suppose to happen in any town or city.

On Saturday a young girl aged 14, while walking along a trail behind a subdivision was accosted and subsequently killed. The RCMP from town and from many of the surrounding areas have instituted a massive manhunt for the individual. The tragic incident has sent the town into a tizzy. Children and adults alike are frightened and the town has a strange feel to it.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the young lady that was murdered. Although, I did not know her, I know people that did and they described as cheerful, intelligent and talented individual. Her father was the Pastor at the local Baptist church. Her beliefs were strong. I understand she was a pleasure to know.

Fast Forward to today and yet another lady accosted at 1:30PM this afternoon. The lady in her early 20;s was attacked by a male in his mid 20's on a trail by the local Tim Hortons. A full blown manhunt is underway here in town as they search for the individual. Thankfully the lady was not hurt and was taken to hospital and subsequently released.

Schools are locked down. I was called to pick up my son even though my wife is the Vice Principal of his school. Children are terrified as are many adults.

This is not suppose to happen to small town Alberta. Has society changed so much that we are made to live in fear if we wonder outside?

Its pathetic and frustrating. Local RCMP is urging residents not to take a vigilante approach to this and they want residents to call 911 if they seem something.

Its hard not to get angry when this happens in your town. But I will say this, the RCMP dont get the credit they deserve. Some are running on fumes as they have had little to know sleep in trying to find the individual that attacked the 14 year old. NOW, they have to track down another suspect. The RCMP here have been a rock and they should really be give kudos for what they have done so far.

If it seems like I am rambling a bit, I probably am. I sit here angry and frustrated. I worry about my kids and my wife. Lets hope they get this guy soon.

I don't think so.
These are the actions of 1 person (presumably the same person in both incidents), and therefore cannot be used as a barometer of life in small town Alberta or anywhere else for that matter. In fact I'd say that the fear and outrage caused by this is an indication that for the most part small town Alberta is still a pretty safe place to live as something like this is out of the ordinary enough to shock the town.

It's a sad story, and hopefully the guy gets caught, and once he has, I'm certain live in Edson will return mostly to normal.

[REDVAN]

Best wishes for sure, but just because you live in a small town doesn't mean you are immune to this kind of thing. There can be crazy people anywhere!

[Russic]

I remember in the small town I grew up in there was a child abduction scare that lasted for several weeks. Now that I'm a little older and wiser I realize why my parents were so bloody scared for that period of time. Hopefully it being in a small town will give the guy less places to hide. Towns tend to have that "everybody knows everybody" thing going for it, so hopefully that will help.

I don't think society has changed. There have been horrible actions like this occurring for a long time unfortunately.

[tete]

There was a murder in the town next to where I grew up in Manitoba in 1990 - we shared a music/band teacher, so we knew everyone - it rocked the towns to their core and I still remember like it was yesterday. I know the young girl's aunt who was killed in Edson and it's just devastated the family (understandably). I hope they find the murderer/attacker soon.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Sample00

This is not suppose to happen to small town Alberta. Has society changed so much that we are made to live in fear if we wonder outside?

My thoughts and prayers are with the girl's family, and the rest of the small town. Crap like this should simply not happen.

I think society has changed that much, unfortunately. For the 20 years that I have been old enough to notice, its seems to be getting worse and worse.

The younger a person is, the less respect it seems they have. For everything; other people, authority, property, even themselves.

Yes, I know, it doesnt apply to everyone. There are good people out there. But it seems they are gradually becoming less dominate over the bad people.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Draug

I think society has changed that much, unfortunately. For the 20 years that I have been old enough to notice, its seems to be getting worse and worse.

The younger a person is, the less respect it seems they have. For everything; other people, authority, property, even themselves.
.

Older people have been saying that about younger people since the dawn of time.

[Draug]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Older people have been saying that about younger people since the dawn of time.

Probably true ... I have some other theories too, but dont want this thread to turn into a huge argument about morals, theology, parenting, or anything else that people never change their minds about.

[Locke]

I thought everyone and their Mums was packing in the country.....

Funny, my vision of small town life was significantly more idyllic.

[pepper24]

I read in the paper today that there was a 2nd attack very similar to the first attack. This lady survived. Hopefully they catch this clown soon and end this terror.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by pepper24

I read in the paper today that there was a 2nd attack very similar to the first attack. This lady survived. Hopefully they catch this clown soon and end this terror.

it has not been confirmed if the second attack is related to the first. Investigations are ongoing, but no link as of yet.

[worth]

Originally Posted by Draug

My thoughts and prayers are with the girl's family, and the rest of the small town. Crap like this should simply not happen.

I think society has changed that much, unfortunately. For the 20 years that I have been old enough to notice, its seems to be getting worse and worse.

The younger a person is, the less respect it seems they have. For everything; other people, authority, property, even themselves.

Yes, I know, it doesnt apply to everyone. There are good people out there. But it seems they are gradually becoming less dominate over the bad people.

I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today, for certainly all youth are reckless
beyond words. When I was a boy, we were taught to be discrete and respectful of elders, but the present youth are exceedingly wise and
impatient of restraint.

-Hesiod, Eighth Century B.C.

[KevanGuy]

Good to hear from you Axel. My thoughts go out to the girl's family and to everyone in Edson. Glad to hear your family is alright.