Don't take matters into your own hands when it comes to rural crime.

That from High River RCMP Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander on the heels of a landowner allegedly shooting at two criminals near Okotoks Saturday, February 24.

He says land owners confronting criminals is never the best choice.

"It takes us down a bad path where either our victims get hurt. We don't really want anyone causing harm to anyone else. So call the police."

Alexander says in some cases you can yell at the crooks and they'll take off, but he asks, "What if they don't?" He says then you end up in a potentially violent situation where your or your family can get badly hurt.

He says he's seen it happen before.

Alexander says they're planning on holding an open house with Foothills County residents on Tuesday, April 10.

He says they're still working on a location and time.