Alberta legislature. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Province announces plan to tackle rural crime

Nov 6, 2019 | 1:39 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta will be taking a few steps to combat the rise of crime in rural communities across the province.

“We are sending a strong signal to rural Albertans who have been victimized for far too long. We have listened to you. We have heard you. And we are standing with you,” says Justice Minister and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer. “We want to ensure you know that we are going to do everything we can as a provincial government to help you feel safe in your communities.”

The UCP’s strategy comes down to four pillars: integrating provincial peace officers, strengthening property rights, cracking down on metal theft, and a voice for victims.

Peace Officers:

To help reduce response times, the government will create the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence Force (RAPID Force).

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It expands the roles and authorities of 400 peace officers in the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Branch, and the traffic arm of the Alberta Sheriffs.

“The changes will allow these officers to respond to a wider range of calls and to assist the RCMP and other police services in some emergencies,” reads a media release from the province.

Training and planning is underway with the goal being to have the first of these officers ready by the fall of 2020.

Strengthening Property Rights:

The government is planning to introduce changes to the Occupiers’ Liability Act. This would eliminate the liability of law-abiding property owners who are protecting their property against trespassers in the commission of a criminal act. This provision will be retroactive to January 1st, 2018.

Planned legislation includes a proposed five-fold increase to the maximum fines for trespassing. First offenders could be fined up to $10,000 while additional offences are punishable up to $25,000 and up to six months of jail time.

Corporations that help or direct trespassers can be fined up to $200,000.

The planned legislation would amend the Petty Trespass Act to add references to better capture land used for crops, animal-rearing, and bee-keeping.

A proposed regulation under the Animal Health Act would create offences and penalties for those who enter agricultural operations without authorization.

Metal Theft:

The government has proclaimed the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act to deter metal theft by making it more difficult to monetize stolen materials by selling it for scrap.

The Act was passed in 2012 but was never proclaimed.

The regulations will require dealers and recyclers to obtain proof of ID from sellers, record and retain details of transactions, and share information with law enforcement. This will be in place by the spring of 2020.

A New Voice for Victims:

A new program will enable communities to take part in the sentencing of offenders by letting them submit a statement describing how crime has affected the community as a whole, including the emotional, physical, and economic impacts, or fears people may have for their security.

There will also be more support for victims in the Restitution Recoveries Program. It helps victims collect outstanding payments on restitution orders by giving government the authority to use enforcement measures against offenders such as garnishing wages or seizing and selling property as needed.