Rural crime in Alberta and northern British Columbia was the topic of discussion at a recent virtual panel discussion co-hosted by Red Deer-Lacombe Blaine Calkins.
“As chair of the Conservative Rural Crime Caucus, I am pleased we had the opportunity to once again speak to Canadians about the issues of rural crime and update them on Conservative initiatives to combat this very serious issue,” Calkins said about the event held April 8.
Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer co-hosted the event.
Panelists included representatives from the RCMP’s E Division North and K Division, the president of the Alberta Provincial Rural Crime Watch Association, an investigation and risk management specialist, and a victim of rural crime.
Topics included how measures to address rural crime have progressed, current trends, how the pandemic and associated public health orders have impacted rural crime, concerns surrounding habitual offenders, crime prevention, the role of civil society in addressing rural crime, and inadequacies in the justice system.