Alberta introduces measures to tackle gang violence, gun crimes

Alberta is adding new units under Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) to fight gang and illegal firearm violence across the province.

The Gang Suppression Unit and Firearms Investigative Unit will be part of Budget 2023 with a $4.4 million investment.

According to a government statement, shootings in Calgary have risen 30 per cent in 2022, with 126 incidents.

“We are putting gangs on notice: illegal gun violence and crime will not be tolerated. Calgarians deserve to feel safe in their own community, and we also know that these criminals will stretch this kind of violence beyond those municipal borders,” said Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services.

“This approach brings together the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources to combat organized and serious crime. We’re taking action and putting the resources in place to tackle these issues.”

Both units will work interdependently, along with other police units, including the Calgary Police Service (CPS), and the RCMP to proactively identify and suppress illegal firearm and gang activity, according to the statement.

“The strength of ALERT is its integrated policing model. This funding announcement bolsters our ability to work in tandem with our policing partners to investigate and prevent gang and firearms-related violence in Calgary and the surrounding area. ALERT has a long-standing history of success, and these new dedicated enforcement teams will provide a mix of covert and overt resources towards ensuring a fulsome and complete approach to making our community safe,” said Supt. Marc Cochlin, the chief executive officer of ALERT.

Mark Neufeld, chief constable at CPS, says gun violence has been a top priority, and with this approach, police can achieve better results.

“Together, we can increase our efforts on the identification, prioritization, investigation, and enforcement of those bringing violence into our communities,” Neufeld said.

Meanwhile, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek says violence in the city has taken a toll on Calgarians, and taking proactive measures can help address the root cause of the problem.

“Our police officers, grassroots organizations, and Calgarians know the daily toll gun violence and gang activity have on our communities. These proactive initiatives are an important part of a much larger challenge to address the root cause of violence in society,” she said.

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Deputy Commissioner Curtis Zablocki, commanding officer of the Alberta RCMP says the safety of communities lies within crime prevention.

“Violence knows no boundaries, and organized crime and unlawful use of firearms affects communities throughout Alberta. Collaborating with the Calgary Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to confront these challenges head-on will help us continue to protect the safety and well-being of Albertans,” Zablocki said.

ALERT was created in 2006 to oversee the province’s initiatives for crimes, organized crime, child exploitation, drug operations, human trafficking, fugitive apprehension, and domestic violence.