The Government of Alberta is set to increase funding to the Alberta Sheriffs to tackle rural crime, March 24, 2023. (Photo: Alberta Sheriffs)

By David Opinko

Province announces funding to tackle rural crime

Mar 24, 2023 | 2:46 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta said it plans to invest in initiatives that will reduce crime in rural communities.

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis explains that the 2023 provincial budget includes $27.3 million in new funding for the Alberta Sheriffs.

Of that, $10.2 million will go towards hiring more people, including courthouse security, prisoner transport, and traffic enforcement on provincial highways.

According to Ellis, another $4.3 million will go towards new rural crime initiatives for the Sheriffs, including two “plainclothes teams” who will assist RCMP detachments by conducting surveillance on criminal targets.

“It is important that Albertans are able to feel safe in their communities,” said Ellis. “This strategic investment will not only ensure the Alberta Sheriffs can continue the vital work they do every day to keep our communities safe, it builds on strong cooperation with their law enforcement partners to create new and innovative ways of working together to protect Albertans.”

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The Alberta Sheriffs will also by able to hire another 20 investigators to its Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit. The SCAN unit targets problem properties where illegal activities take place.

A release from the province states that several of the new jobs will be based in regional hubs, which it said will give the SCAN unit a greater ability to investigate complaints from rural areas.

Alberta Crime Stoppers President Mark Holik said the provincial investments will pay off for residents.

“Alberta Crime Stoppers is pleased to see the Alberta Sheriffs working on these rural crime initiatives and strategies that will make our communities safer,” said Holik.

The Government of Alberta is set to fund an expansion of the Rural Alerta Provincial Integrated Defence (RAPID) Response initiative.

It will allow the Sheriff Highway Patrol to train and equip its members to assist the RCMP with emergencies and high priority calls. In order to make this happen, all sheriffs will be given full powers of arrest under the Criminal Code of Canada.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now