A new team of Alberta Sheriffs will work alongside RCMP to mitigate crime throughout communities in Central Alberta.
The provincial government is expanding the Alberta Sheriffs’ Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit with the creation of a new team of investigators in Red Deer.
The creation of the Red Deer SCAN team is aimed at enhancing public safety and increasing the Alberta Sheriffs’ ability to support police throughout the province, a Government of Alberta news release said.
The move puts more resources on the ground, including a team to investigate properties where illegal activity has been reported.
“Creating a safer environment for our citizens improves the overall quality of our community in Red Deer. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Alberta’s government, SCAN, and all our law enforcement partners who work tirelessly every day to keep our communities safe,” said Ken Johnston, Mayor of the City of Red Deer. “This is great news for the City of Red Deer, and together, we can make our community safer. I encourage residents to report any suspicious activity to the SCAN unit.”
When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit begins an investigation. Once the investigation confirms the activity, investigators contact the property owner to try and resolve the issue informally.
If efforts are unsuccessful, SCAN can apply to the courts for a community safety order to impose restrictions and conditions on the property and its owner, which could include closing the property for up to 90 days.
Any criminal activity uncovered when dealing with the property is turned over to the police to investigate.
“Ensuring safety for law-abiding Albertans is of utmost importance for Alberta’s government and requires a comprehensive approach to effectively combat and prevent criminal activity. This involves enhancing law-enforcement resources, fostering community engagement, implementing crime prevention programs, and promoting collaboration between Alberta Sheriffs and local police,” said Jason Stephan, MLA for Red Deer-South. “This SCAN team is a game-changer in Central Alberta and puts criminals on notice that they are not welcome here.”
The Red Deer SCAN team’s operational boundaries include the City of Red Deer and its surrounding communities and rural areas, providing coverage to the central area spanning Ponoka to the north and Olds to the south.
“Alberta’s government will always maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward crime of any kind, and the expansion of the Alberta Sheriffs’ SCAN unit reflects that. With the creation of a new SCAN team in Red Deer, we’re expanding the unit’s coverage even further and putting more boots on the ground where they’re needed,” said Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services. “Let this be a message to all criminals: you are not welcome here. Communities in the Red Deer area have a right not to be plagued by drug and other criminal activity that create dangerous environments, and Alberta’s government will do whatever it takes to keep people safe.”
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