City man honoured for helping police track suspect

A local man was recognized for his actions in helping police track a suspect on the run.

During a recent presentation to the Lethbridge Police Commission last week, Chief Rob Davis praised westside resident Eduard Schindler for his observations and willingness to assist the police during a search for a man wanted by police.

“I’ve said this a lot here, and I’ve said this a lot in my Police Beat column, but public safety goes way beyond the police. It takes the entire community to be engaged,” said Davis.

He added there tends to be a lot of apathy in the community, and many are more likely to pull out their cellphones and record events rather than participate.

“Mr. Schindler went above and beyond,” he said. “He became engaged and helped us catch someone who was wanted.”

On July 2, Schindler and his wife were returning home to the Westside Trailer Court when they saw a shirtless man jump a fence to evade a police officer.

Schindler and his wife observed more officers after entering the park, and, as they made their way to the end of the trailer court, they observed the person crossing the street into another backyard.

Schindler and his wife waited with officers until the LPS K-9 unit arrived.

After returning to his home, Schindler later saw the suspect jump another fence and enter a home.

“This was something like eight to 10 houses away from where he was (before) and where the police dog was searching,” Schindler said.

He said he later observed the man being kicked out of another house in the trailer court, at which point the suspect was secured by police.

Schindler said he has a background in security, and considers the role of trailer court security to be something everyone needs to participate in.

“The trailer park has a lot of stuff going on with it right now,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people speeding, and not paying attention.

“The park does need people to watch it. The landlord does a very good job of what he does, but you almost have to have 24-hour eyes in that place.”

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