(Photo 138910231 © Siegfried Schnepf | Dreamstime.com)

By The Canadian Press

Alberta makes changes to Crown prosecutors to fight rise in violent crime

Sep 11, 2023 | 4:04 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Alberta government is making changes to criminal prosecutions to reduce the rise in violent crime.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery said on Monday, September 11, 2023 that special teams of prosecutors will be formed to focus on violent crime and criminals in Edmonton and Calgary.

Amery said prosecutors will also be given new direction to argue before judges that violent repeat offenders should either be held in custody or be subject to bail rules that will ensure public safety.

The province has already committed to adding 50 police officers in Edmonton and another 50 in Calgary along with $5 million for each city to make transit rides safer.

Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said the changes are needed and point to larger problems of homelessness and drug abuse.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Ellis stated that the province is acting on root causes through a number of measures, including 10,000 new publicly funded addiction treatment spaces.

(The Canadian Press)

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.