Strategies announced to combat rural crime

By Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean Times Contributor

Jason Nixon, Minister of Environment and Parks, along with Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer and Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson, announced new strategies the provincialgovernment will take to help tackle rural crime issues.
One of the strongest complaints at the Rural Crime Town Hall held in Cheadle in September was a lack of police presence.
The announcement on Nov. 6 addressed this complaint by expanding authorities and roles for government of Alberta peace officers. Currently, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement and Alberta Sheriffs have around 400 officers who could potentially assist local RCMP in responding to calls for police assistance.
“This is an issue that affects many,” Nixon said. “Our government is taking immediate steps to make sure everyone feels safe and secure in their homes and communities.”
The peace officers will need additional training and the government hopes they will be available to respond in their enhanced capacity by the fall of 2020.
The government also plans to amend the Occupiers’ Liability Act, “to strengthen trespass laws and further defend property rights.”
The proposed amendment includes increased fines and potential prison time for trespassing offences as well as increasing the maximum penalty for lost or damaged property, an amendment to the Petty Trespass Act to reference specific land-use identification, and an “additional regulation under the Animal Health Act to create offences and penalties for people who enter agricultural operations.”
On Nov. 5, the Alberta government proclaimed the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act to make it “more difficult for criminals to monetize stolen material by selling it for scrap.” The legislation was introduced in 2012 but had not been enacted into law.
Tim Dromarsky, general manager of Strathmore Ford, said thefts of metal parts from their lot vehicles has been a real problem in the past.
“Theft has a real, direct cost to businesses,” Dromarsky said. “We were forced to hire a private security company to monitor our inventory.
“The days of vehicles getting stolen for joy rides are long over; in most cases the vehicle themselves remain while valuable parts are cut from them,” he added. “We’ve also begun to etch our inventory so the parts are marked and basically worthless to anyone trying to sell them for scrap.”
The government also plans to introduce forms to detail community impacts of crime and a program to assist in the collection of outstanding payments on restitution orders.