The Alberta Sheriffs have created six positions for a Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods unit in southern Alberta. (Photo: Government of Alberta on Youtube)

By Christian Oldale

ALBERTA SHERIFFS

SCAN unit added to southern Alberta to help combat crime

Nov 16, 2023 | 5:13 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Southern Alberta will see a new law enforcement unit implemented.

The Alberta Sheriffs have created six positions for a Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit in Lethbridge. The new team will work with the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) to investigate illegal activity at properties throughout the region.

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services said, “We’ve seen, time and time again, how help from the SCAN unit can break the cycle of crime at problem properties and allow law-abiding citizens to take back their neighbourhoods and regain their sense of safety.”

Ellis added, “Expanding the SCAN unit’s presence in southern Alberta will give communities in the region and local police more access to this valuable crime-fighting tool. Officer presence matters and Alberta’s government is putting boots on the ground to do so.”

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act gives Alberta Sheriffs the authority to target problem properties through legal sanctions and court orders.

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The new team in southern Alberta will serve a large area, which reaches Vulcan to the north, Crowsnest Pass to the west, the U.S. border to the south and the provincial boundary with Saskatchewan to the east.

Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen said, “On behalf of Lethbridge city council, I am very pleased to hear that our provincial government will be setting up a permanent SCAN unit in our city. Our council has been advocating for increased resources to prioritize community safety, so having a dedicated force focusing on southern Alberta will certainly be a welcome addition.”

Since 2019, the SCAN unit in Calgary has responded to 497 complaints about properties that would now be covered by the southern Alberta team.

Medicine Hat Chief of Police Alan Murphy welcomed the additional SCAN members, saying “the expansion of the SCAN unit, with the establishment of a six-member team based in Lethbridge extending their service to the Medicine Hat area, is a welcome addition. We look forward to the positive impact this team will bring, and working collaboratively with them to address community concerns, disrupt illegal activities and protect the safety of our neighbourhoods.”