By Chris Brown

In Redcliff on July 22

Justice minister to discuss rural crime with local residents

Jul 19, 2021 | 10:42 AM

REDCLIFF, AB – Alberta’s justice minister and solicitor general will be in Redcliff this week.

Kaycee Madu is touring southern Alberta holding town halls to meet with residents and get their perspectives on rural crime.

The Redcliff town hall will take place Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the Town of Redcliff office.

Madu says he wants to hear from rural Albertans to help shape the future of policing in the province and build safer communities.

Redcliff RCMP have already been discussing rural policing with citizens.

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“Some of the concerns when we did our public consultation earlier in the spring had to do with rural crime and response time with members getting out there or patrolling in the rural areas,” says Sgt. Michael Courty.

He says a number of initiatives have been implemented to address those concerns.

“We also have a constable that is dedicated to the rural Cypress County, and we also have access to a newer unit which is with ALERT and it is the crime reduction unit that we have is posted out of Medicine Hat. They deal with a lot of rural crime and also connecting because criminals are not stuck to one specific area and they liaise with other rural crime units throughout the area as well.”

Courty says that close work with other units has led to a decrease in rural crime in the area.

He adds theft from rural industrial sites, motor vehicle thefts and theft of gas are the most frequent calls they receive.

Earlier this year the province launched the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence (RAPID) Response initiative to address concerns about how long it can take police to arrive at the scene. Under the program, provincial peace officers in the Alberta Sheriffs were given expanded authorities to help the RCMP on urgent calls and to investigate a wider range of traffic offences.

Officers from Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services have also been given expanded roles under the program.

Since the beginning of July, Minister Madu has been meeting with municipal councils, Indigenous leaders and other stakeholders throughout the province.

In a release, the government says the town hall sessions will also be an opportunity to discuss ongoing work to modernize the Police Act, as well as update the public on the progress of the government’s study on the feasibility of establishing a provincial police service to replace the RCMP in Alberta.

Other scheduled town halls

Tuesday, July 20: MD of Foothills

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society, 306097 – 192 Street W

Wednesday, July 21: Claresholm

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Town of Claresholm office, 111 – 55 Avenue W

Thursday, July 22: Cardston

9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Tanner Centennial Seniors Centre, 260 – 1 Street W

Thursday, July 22: Redcliff

7 p.m. – 9 p.m., Town of Redcliff office, 1 – 3 Street NE

Friday, July 23: Drumheller area

4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Munson Community Hall, 201 Main Street, Munson

Tuesday, July 27: High Level

6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Best Western Mirage, 9616 – Highway 58

Thursday, July 29: Grande Prairie

6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Holiday Inn & Suites, Salon A & B, 9816 – 107 Street

Dates and locations are subject to change.