NEW LAW HITS CRIMINALS WHERE IT HURTS THE MOST

Dear Editor:

Vehicles, guns, home and cash seized in the first two months of
operation.

There is a real concern across Alberta right now about violent crimes
and the effect it is having on our communities.

Crime touches far too many people in our province.

The cost of crime is high and the impact on victims can be
devastating. Organized crime is a particular area of concern.

The Victim Restitution and Compensation Payment act was passed on Dec.
17, 2008.

The act allows for the seizure of the proceeds and instruments of
crime and then compensates victims and communities affected by those
crimes.

Since early January, police agencies from across the province have
been referring files to the Civil Forfeiture Office.

To date, seizure orders have been obtained on seven vehicles,
including one used in an attempt to run down a police officer, a rural
acreage used for a marijuana grow operation, and $20,000 cash.

The total value of the illegal profit connected to this property is
$4.6 million. Vehicles transporting weapons are also prime candidates
for restraint and forfeiture.

This legislation is intended to compensate victims, and to hit gangs
where it hurts the host: their cash flow.

Police and prosecutors are already working hard to disrupt and
dismantle organized crime and keep our streets safe. This is a way to
take the profits out of the business of gangs.

The legislation expands and extends the scope of powers already
available to the police and the prosecutors under the Criminal Code.
The proceeds from the forfeiture of this property will be returned to
the communities and victims who are victimized by the drug trade.

The Safe Communities Secretariat has a three-year mandate to develop
long-term crime reduction and prevention strategy, and promote
innovative, safe community strategies.

To learn more about the secretariat, please visit
www.safecommunities.gov.ab.ca

If you would like to discuss this, or any other matter, please feel
free to call me at my Drayton Valley office at 780-542-3355 or e-mail
me at dianamcqueen@assembly.ab.ca

Diana McQueen

Drayton Valley/Calmar MLA