By rdnewsNOW staff

Province investing $10 million to help RCMP fight rural crime

Mar 9, 2018 | 10:48 AM

The Alberta government has announced plans to hire 39 new RCMP officers to combat rural crime.

The province is providing $10 million for a series of initiatives to protect rural Albertans and their property.

It’s also hiring additional Crown prosecutors and 40 civilian staff to shift some routine tasks away from officers so they can spend more time patrolling and investigating in the community.

Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley says there’s no single, easy fix to rural crime but the new strategy — quote – “puts several important tools in the crime-fighting toolbox.”

“Rural police officers are part of their communities,” said Ganley. “They do difficult and extremely important work every day. I want to thank the RCMP for the work they do to protect Albertans.”

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Alberta RCMP welcomes the investment.

“Rural Crime Reduction Units are designed to act fast to target repeat offenders who commit the vast majority of crimes in an area,” said Deputy Commissioner Todd Shean. “I can assure you, if you are committing crime in Alberta, we will identify you and we will stop you.”

(With file from The Canadian Press)