Increase in Urban & Rural Crime: Allocation of Additional Resources

The increase in both urban and rural crime highlights the necessity for additional allocation of resources, in addition to annual financial support for those organizations that provide policing and policing alternatives.

Increased crime affects both businesses and residents across the province, in both urban and rural communities, where they live. Individuals as well as organized criminal groups actively exploit communities, putting those who live and work in those communities at higher risk, while decreasing the economic viability of the affected communities.

The Alberta Chambers of Commerce recommends that the Government of Alberta:

1. Minister of Justice support & encourage the RCMP and/or local law enforcement agencies and crime prevention organizations to explore & establish community
   offices within their service areas to reduce response times and have more presence in rural communities
2. Minister of Municipal Affairs support & encourage municipalities to support the RCMP and/or local law enforcement agencies and crime prevention organizations in exploring & establishing community offices within their local RCMP service areas to reduce response times and have more presence in rural communities
3. Provide additional funding to the RCMP and/or local law enforcement agencies and crime prevention organizations to create & promote crime reduction awareness campaigns to help community residents and businesses help reduce crime. (E.g.: Rental space to host public engagement sessions on crime reduction, pamphlets, window decals, etc.)
4. Provide easier access and consistent funding to registered Provincial and Federally (Eg: Chambers of Commerce) registered organizations, to provide services and support in urban and rural communities looking to reduce rural crime.