The saying is crime doesn’t pay, but in this case, it does, just not for the perpetrator. The provincial government is funding almost $1.3-million to police agencies, the Victims’ Fund and community programs from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund.
Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell says this is for new resources for municipal police, supports for victims and to help in the delivery of community programming. Over $578,000 goes to Saskatchewan police forces. In accordance with legislation, a matching amount goes to the Victims’ Fund, to support victims of crime.
The Saskatoon Police Service is using part of its allotment for a light tower to illuminate collision and crime scenes, and traffic checkpoints.
The rest will be for a breaching arm for the Police Service’s armoured response vehicle and a 3D laser imagine scanner to help officers digitally map out crime scenes. The Prince Albert Police Service will be using the funding for tactical first-aid training equipment, and to advance the strategy for equity, diversity and inclusion.
The funding will be used to provide for the following:
-Electronic equipment to support the Regina Police Service’s new Aerial Support Unit;
-Tactical equipment for officers responding to high-risk situations in Moose Jaw;
-Tactical first-aid training equipment in Prince Albert;
-Advancing the Prince Albert Police Service’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy;
-Light tower to illuminate collision and crime scenes, as well as checkpoints for the Saskatoon Police Service;
-A breaching arm for Saskatoon Police Service’s armoured response vehicle;
-A 3D laser imaging scanner to help the Saskatoon Police Service digitally map out crime scenes; and
-A Kubota RTV520 utility vehicle to assist officers in Estevan responding to emergency situations across nearly 13 kilometers of walking and bike paths.
Funds will also be provided to assist in locating missing persons and addressing family violence in the province’s north through distributions to Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers, the La Ronge Native Women’s Council and Catholic Family Services of Prince Albert.
Since its inception, over $7.5-million from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has been distributed to police, the Victims’ Fund and community programming.
