Thursday 7th of November 2024

Alberta's Strategic Move: Sheriffs Program Expansion Brings New Positions to Calgary and Edmonton

"Boosting Community Safety: Alberta Expands Sheriffs Program with New Positions in Calgary and Edmonton"

Alberta is taking proactive measures to enhance community safety by expanding its sheriffs program, specifically the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit. The province has announced the addition of six new positions, with two allocated to Calgary and four to Edmonton. These positions will fortify the SCAN unit's efforts in investigating and addressing criminal activities at problematic properties in and around the two major cities.

This expansion is part of the 2023 provincial budget, which earmarked funds to double the SCAN unit's size by hiring 20 more investigators and establishing new positions in regional hubs. The move aligns with a strategic plan to determine additional regional hubs, with larger teams in Calgary and Edmonton poised to offer increased support to other parts of the province.

A recent milestone was the establishment of a new regional office in Lethbridge in early November, with six investigators stationed there to oversee operations in southern Alberta. With the addition of positions in Calgary and Edmonton, a total of 12 out of the planned 20 new positions for 2023 have been filled.

Greg Medley, Deputy Chief of the Alberta Sheriffs, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to tackle more cases and enhance the SCAN unit's ability to serve communities throughout Alberta. The SCAN team's past records indicate substantial investigative work, with 1,985 files investigated in Calgary and 2,088 in Edmonton between 2019 and 2023. Notably, these efforts resulted in community safety orders against property owners, emphasizing the tangible impact of the SCAN unit on community welfare.

"In conclusion, Alberta's expansion of the Sheriffs Program, particularly the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit, signifies a proactive step towards bolstering community safety. The addition of six new positions, strategically allocated to Calgary and Edmonton, reflects the province's commitment to addressing criminal activities in and around its major cities. This move, funded through the 2023 provincial budget, aims to double the size of the SCAN unit, with larger teams in key locations facilitating increased support to various regions.

The recent establishment of a regional office in Lethbridge and the filling of 12 out of the planned 20 new positions for 2023 showcase tangible progress. Deputy Chief Greg Medley's optimism about tackling more cases and serving communities across Alberta highlights the significance of this expansion.

The SCAN team's impressive track record, as evidenced by the investigation of thousands of files and the issuance of community safety orders, underscores the unit's tangible impact on community welfare. As Alberta takes these strides to fortify its sheriffs program, the commitment to enhancing public safety remains at the forefront, promising a more secure and resilient future for the province."