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(Photos by Kirsty Hanson)
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The Swift Current & District Chamber of Commerce held their third session of Cops & Coffee this morning which highlighted Alternative Measures and recent crime updates.

Over a dozen people attended, including several Swift Current City RCMP and Chamber members, for the meeting which began at 8:30 a.m. with coffee and donuts.

Aimee Stusrud, justice worker for the Alternative Measures Program with the Salvation Army, noted that the program works closely with victims to ensure their voices are heard, as victim participation is highly valued.

"Restorative Justice is all about bringing people and resources together in an effort to have offenders take resonponsiblity for their actions and repair harm that was done," she shared. "It gives victims a say in the process and what ahppens, the end result if hopefully restoring peace and harmony."

Alternative Measures can be a beneficial solution for youth and first-time offenders to see how their crime impacted someone, the victim can attend the mediation by phone, in-person, or even have a representative. 

Consequences through Alternative Measures may include restitution, community service, a formal apology, a donation to charity, or education courses to address issues such as mental health, shoplifting, anger management, addiction, and more. 

A local business manager noted that Alternative Measures have been his best route to obtaining restitution or recouping lost funds, as fines imposed through the court often go to the government.

Staff Sergeant Evan Gordon with the Swift Current City RCMP, said, "What we have seen is likely an increase in reporting, not that there were more shoplifting incidents happening, just that shop owners are actually reporting it more."

Business owners are encouraged to report any thefts, no matter the size, as it can lead to solving larger thefts. Such as a case from earlier this year where two reports of theft under $20 lead RCMP to a duo of prolific shoplifters who were both incarcerated. 

Gordon also highlighted a small decrease in frauds, reports of vape and tabacco stores selling to minors, and a bulk of complainst from residents regarding speeding on the Highway and parking on the South Service Road. 

Attendees underscored the need for more truck stops in Swift Current along the Highway and Service Roads to compabat some of the traffic issues, as well as help bosst the local economy. 

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