Alberta Sherriffs’ surveillance teams are on the ground across Alberta in rural communities to work alongside local police to address rural crime in the province.
According to the provincial government, rural crime continues to be a top priority for residents and businesses in communities across Alberta. As a result, the province opted to invest $4.3 million for the Alberta Sheriffs to put boots on the ground and address the problem head-on.
Provincial Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis calls the project “another key component” of rural law enforcement in Alberta.
“Criminals and organized crime are not welcome in Alberta. Full stop,” he says. “The addition of two new surveillance teams will further support our law enforcement partners in stamping out criminal activity in Alberta’s rural areas.”
Two plainclothes teams, one in the north and one in the south, will support police in carrying out surveillance on criminal targets in rural areas. Both teams have been fully staffed and are operational. The two teams are tasked with working to prevent crime, monitor agricultural theft, and work in collaboration with local police agencies to share intelligence.
In Grande Prairie, County Council recently greenlit the Crime Prevention Committee’s Annual Work Plan, which emphasizes finding ways to reduce crime through strengthening the focus on crime watch committees and exploring virtual meeting options for committee members.
