Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association

By EverythingGP staff

Rural Crime Watch

Grande Prairie MLA impressed by rural crime convention’s turnout, informative presentations

Feb 24, 2020 | 2:56 PM

Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard was impressed by not just the turnout, but the
commitment shown by provincial crime watch members at their annual symposium held in Grande Prairie this past weekend.

Over 130 provincial members made the trip up for the two-day event, which featured many keynote speakers who touched on a wide variety of topics. The gathering also served as an information sharing session and networking event for the province’s crime watch members.

Though she was pleased to see the turnout and the overall membership around the province, she hopes local organizations can continue to grow.

“I definitely think that we have a solid group of concerned citizens that are committed to the cause and committed to deterring crime across the province, in each of the communities that they live,” said Allard. “If we can expand on that, that would be fantastic.”

Allard adds that she picked up a lot of lessons during her time at the symposium. Keynote speeches included those from the Grande Prairie Crown Prosecutors’ office on how each case is prosecuted differently, and no two are the same.

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“It’s not just about making people pay and be punished. It’s about addressing the bigger roots of the crime that’s happening.”

Another takeaway Allard found was about self defence laws in Canada, which she says are often mis-interpreted.

“The way self defence works in Canada, the fact that there is no provision for holding the line in Canada, I think sometimes we base our opinions or our position on American television and American law,” said Allard. “Even that was highlighted, I think was really helpful for me, but also for the group of people that were listening.”

She also says a lot of people very angry about crimes being committed by repeat offenders, though there was an opportunity at the convention to learn about the “vicious cycle” of people going in and out of the justice system. She says there needs to be more understanding, and to look at ways to be more preventative. She says that it shouldn’t be just about making people pay and punished, but also addressing the bigger roots of the crime.

Allard adds the Province has committed to fund 500 new officers in rural areas, though couldn’t say if any of them will be dispatched in the Peace Country. She says that’s a good start, but it is just a start, and more resources are needed for rural areas.

Allard, who is he vice chair of Rural Crime Committee, says it was impressive to see the amount of people who are dedicated to keeping their communities safe gather for the convention. She hopes more concerned citizens who want to help deter crime in their communities come forward and join the Rural Crime Watch.