James Burns, CEO of Alcanna, Minister Doug Schweitzer, MLA Brad Rutherford, and Cst. Robyn Wilson, Edmonton Police Service, announced action to fight robberies and thefts targeting liquor stores. (Justice and Solicitor General)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Targeting Crime

UCP announces working group to address rising liquor store thefts

Jan 20, 2020 | 2:26 PM

The UCP government has established a working group to protect Albertans by combating the growing public safety threat posed by liquor store robberies and thefts.

Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, has appointed Brad Rutherford, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont, to chair the working group, which will examine the recent spike in crimes targeting liquor stores.

According to government officials, police in Edmonton alone responded to more than 9,500 liquor store thefts in 2019 – an average of 26 a day – triple the 3,273 in 2018.

In addition to costing retailers millions of dollars in financial losses and placing a significant strain on police resources, the current trend poses a continued risk of violence toward workers and bystanders.

“Criminals and gangs are preying on hard-working, law-abiding Albertans and business owners,” says Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, in a release. “Our government will work with our partners in law enforcement and in the industry to deter liquor store thefts through better prevention and ensuring appropriate consequences for the perpetrators.”

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“This is an important crime and safety issue that requires thoughtful action,” adds Brad Rutherford, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont and chair of the Liquor Store Theft Working Group. “Our partners bring a considerable amount of knowledge and expertise to the discussion and I’m looking forward to hearing their ideas. Together, we can make a difference.”

Ivonne Martinez, president of the Alberta Liquor Store Association and member of the Liquor Store Theft Working Group, says they are pleased to see the government taking action on the issue of liquor store crime after hearing the concerns brought forth by industry.

“This problem affects big and small business owners in urban and rural communities and poses a significant threat to the safety of liquor store employees,” he continues. “On behalf of liquor store owners across Alberta, we look forward to finding meaningful solutions.”

Officials say there is evidence that criminal gangs are fueling a dramatic increase in liquor store thefts in cities like Edmonton and Calgary, using stolen merchandise as a form of street currency to pay for illegal goods and activities.

Officials add that many thefts and robberies appear to be planned and coordinated events carried out by groups that enter a store and steal a large quantity of liquor in only a few minutes. There have also been several cases of violence toward liquor store employees.

Rutherford, who served as a member of the Edmonton Police Service for 10 years, will chair the working group, which has representatives from law enforcement, liquor retailers, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis and the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service.

The group will weigh a broad range of actions to deter liquor store thefts, including security features for stores, enforcement strategies, legal measures and deterrence measures, as well as steps taken in other jurisdictions.

Working group members include:

• Brad Rutherford, chair, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont
• James Stiles, executive advisor to senior ADM, Justice and Solicitor General
• Ivonne Martinez, president, Alberta Liquor Store Association
• Sarah Langley, executive director, Alberta Crown Prosecution Service
• Acting Supt. Leah Barber, Calgary Police Service
• Supt. Terry Rocchio, Edmonton Police Service
• Supt. Peter Tewfik, RCMP, “K” Division
• Rob Pape, director, Compliance, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis