Community Crime Watch organization applauds government’s rural crime initiative

Outlined on Wednesday, the government’s plan to tackle rural crime includes integrating provincial peace officers in hopes of reducing police response times.

As a result, the government will create the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence Force ( RAPID) by expanding the roles and authorities of 400 peace officers in the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Branch, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Branch and the traffic arm of Alberta Sheriffs.

The changes are said to allow these officers to respond to a wider range of calls and to assist the RCMP and other police services in some emergencies.

Training and related planning is underway to have the first of these officers available to assist rural Albertans by fall 2020.

Wigmore is also pleased to see planned changes to the Occupier’s Liability Act, aimed at better defending the rights of law-abiding property owners, and stronger trespass laws containing a five-fold increase to maximum fines.

“If groups go on your land, I guess the activists, that will definitely be something,” adds Wigmore. “Because really, all the farmers, that’s their livelihood. They have to look after their animals and their chickens and pigs and everything else that they make their living with, and if they mistreat them, then they’re not in business very long, so it’s good.”

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

In addition, a proposed biosecurity regulation under the Animal Health Act would create offences and penalties for people who enter agricultural operations without authorization or encourage others to do so. Such incidents are said to introduce disease and threaten the welfare of animals.

“The activists aren’t looking at that at all,” says Wigmore. “They need to do something, but I think it will be a work-in-progress.”

Elsewhere, the Government has proclaimed the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act to deter metal theft by making it more difficult for criminals to monetize stolen material by selling it for scrap.

Officials point-out the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act was passed in 2012, but never proclaimed. An Order in Council signed Nov. 5 puts the legislation into effect immediately.

Finally, community impact statements are hoped to recognize the far-reaching effects of a crime, and how an entire community can suffer harm or loss.

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

Community impact statement forms will be available online in early January.

There will also be additional support for victims, via a new Restitution Recoveries Program. The program will help 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.

by Sheldon Spackman

Community Crime Watch organization applauds government’s rural crime initiative

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