April 10, 2018
Alberta
Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) Conference
The following is a brief update regarding the rural crime
discussions at the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties
(AAMDC) conference (now known as the Rural Municipalities of Alberta – RMA).
RCMP
Plenary Address to the conference
New K-Division commander has visited 40 of the 114 (?) communities
thus far. Deputy Commissioner Todd Shean was appointed in March 2017. He
spoke to rural crime and strategies of action RCMP will be taking:
- Pockets
of Crime Reduction via CR Teams (4 districts)
-
There will be
boarders for these districts
-
Cannot keep
arresting our way of this problem
-
Partnering with
core agencies to break the cycle
-
Individual will
get identified – “we know who they are”
-
RCMP work will be
supported by a robust intelligence community
-
Rural Crime Watch
and Citizens on Patrol will have agreements with RCMP
-
Work together to
get the needed intelligence including Sheriffs/Wildlife officers etc.
- Freeing
up officers to be on the road
-
Free up from data
input
-
Data to be done
by “Pro’s Data Centre” (civilians) thus freeing up officers
- Better
Manage calls for service
-
Thereby allowing officers
to be on the front line
- Dialogue
with Government of Alberta
-
Funding provided
of $8 million to support district teams, Pro’s Data Centre support and other
initiatives to free up officers to do front line work.
- Recruiting
-
Need to do a
better job
-
Will be working
with First Nations Communities on this as well
Above plan has the support of RCMP, Gov’t of AB, rural
communities.
Emphasized need help in achieving – need eyes and ears of Rural
Crime watch, other orgs. And the public to gather data which will allow RCMP to
direct resources.
Some of the initial initiatives are underway and already starting
to see results.
Assistant Deputy Minister of Solicitor General spoke to AAMDC:
Message loud and clear about rural crime. He outlined work
being done by dept. and with the federal gov’t to improve over time:
- Federal
minister announced $327,000,000 over the next number of years to address
“guns/gangs” – serious concern related to rural crime. Further
discussions will be happening in April/May to make final decision on
projects.
- Government
of AB – 6-7-point plan forward with Feds (for example – crime prevent
(catch kids early via education) – better exit strategies (for kids in the
system) – Enforcement that will compliment RCMP strategy – AB Law
Enforcement response teams – researched (inform/lead).
- Can’t
continue “catch and release” complex issues to deal with
- Integrated
Offender Management Initiative – a wraparound of services for the offender
for the right outcomes
- Crown
Prosecutors – add as well as provide the right info to them to do their
job
- Restorative
Justice – piloted in Calgary – more positive intervention – initial data
gathered is compelling – 97% reported satisfaction with the service –
potential for the future
- Police
Advisory Committees – helping with professionalism/accountability/police
mental health/client mental health (addressing and training)/sexual
assault investigations (approx. 30,000 files being reviewed quality of
investigations and training of investigators/interagency environment development/guidelines
for across province.
- Sol
Gen is putting in a lot of work in the department/working with RCMP to
address rural crime/plan very detailed/results orientated
- Minister
has not provided any direction to open the provincial funding model agreement.
- Spoke
to enhanced positions
- Spoke
to RCMP communication with Rural Crime Watch and other stakeholders –
there will be “point persons” (intel officers) who will be a point of
contact for Rural Crime Watches and other stakeholders/will be reaching out
to RCW’s
Both presenters were very clear that the message about rural crime
has been received and both are working to address.
Two resolutions you will be interested in that passed at the AAMDC
convention: 2-18S: Combatting Rural Crime; 3-18S: Increase Crown
Prosecutor Staffing Levels for Rural Municipalities; 12-18S: Victim
Services Units Funding.
It is very encouraging to hear from both speakers. There are
plans in place, funding to support and staffing supports. Both noted
early strategies are starting to see results. AAMDC will provide an
updated to resolutions and work with the Sol. Gen. and RCMP to continue to address
rural crime in Alberta.
