Conference targets gangs and organized crime
Posted Jun 18, 2013 11:20 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
More than 500 delegates representing police, intelligence and goverment agencies are gathering in Edmonton for a three day conference.
The gathering is being put on by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams, better known as ALERT.
Alert Inspector Gerry Francois tells 660News it’s important to have such get togethers to share information on the best practices to keep gang and other organized criminal activity in check.
Francois says thanks to a concerted effort a few years ago, Calgary police managed to disrupt the activities of two rival gangs that were waging a bloody war, often putting innocent people at risk.
He says even though gangs are no longer generating headlines that doesn’t mean they are no longer operating in the province.
The latest trends in drugs and how those drugs are being brought into Canada from the U.S. is a big topic of discussion.
Francois says because of Alberta’s robust economy and a certain segment of the population willing to buy those drugs, our province remains a prime target for criminal activity.
The conference wraps up Thursday, with organizers confident the information sharing will help them keep a lid on those intend on breaking the law.
