A responsive, integrated and coordinated justice system is an essential element in tackling gangs and organized crime in Alberta. Recognizing that police agencies, the courts and the correctional system play integral roles in enforcement, deterrence and rehabilitation, the Government of Alberta has:

• Added 200 new frontline police officers to our communities with another 100 officers to be hired.
• Hired 26 new Crown prosecutors and 41 support staff this year to help manage the increasing demands on the justice system and improve court efficiency.
• Funded 30 new probation officers this year on top of the 50 added last year to enhance the supervision of offenders released back into the community.
• Introduced a new project to target 60 chronic repeat offenders through enhanced community support. The project also includes a comprehensive bail package component that will provide Crown prosecutors up-to-date information on the offenders. Should the offender return to a life of crime they will quickly find themselves back behind bars.
• Introduced new processes to enhance the criminal justice system. One initiative will see Crown prosecutors handle bail applications to help ensure that people who should not be released remain in custody, and those that should be released are, with appropriate conditions. The other initiative has Crown prosecutors assume responsibility of a file from the beginning of the court process to the end to reduce lead times to trial and reduce backlog.
• Funded new treatment beds to help young adults battling addictions.

The face of crime in Alberta is often drug related, and drug crime breeds violence. The Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act allows the courts to seize property, like vehicles and weapons, which have been used to commit crime. This Act is intended to compensate victims, and to disrupt the business of organized crime. Our legislation is effective in allowing police agencies across Alberta to target dangerous property for removal from our communities, such as vehicles used to commit crime or homes used to grow marijuana. The proceeds from the forfeited property will be used to repair losses and injuries suffered by victims. There are no easy answers when it comes to crime and safety, but Alberta is committed to putting meaningful changes into place. This legislation is a part of that commitment.

Cases under the Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act are being prosecuted by the Civil Forfeiture Office, which was established on October 1, as part of the Safe Communities Initiative.

SCAN units help improve community safety by targeting properties used for illegal activities such as drugs, gangs, and prostitution. They will also hold property owners accountable for what takes place on their property.

If there's a suspicious property in your neighborhood, do not investigate it yourself or approach the occupants. Please call the Alberta Sheriffs SCAN teams immediately, toll free at 1-866-960-SCAN (7226). There are two SCAN teams. A northern SCAN team based out of Edmonton and a southern team based out of Calgary.

To help serve you better, a SCAN complaint form is available on-line.

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) is a provincially funded initiative that integrates enforcement and intelligence gathering units across the province. ALERT has 19 operational law enforcement units that are dedicated to:

• Disrupting and dismantling organized crime networks, street-level gangs and the drug trade.
• Tracking down on-line sexual predators who prowl the internet looking to sexually exploit children or trade in child pornography.
• Working with other intelligence units to collect, evaluate, and disseminate vital information about organized crime.
• Reducing and preventing domestic violence and stalking situations as well as providing court requested threat assessments and expert evidence.