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Property Crime Plan

By Frank Quennell

Good morning.

It is a pleasure to be here in Meadow Lake today to announce the Protect Our Property targeted crime initiative.

Keeping communities safe is a top priority of this government—a cornerstone of our commitment to make Saskatchewan the best place to live, work and raise a family. The Protect Our Property initiative will help us to achieve this important objective.

Over the last ten years, there has been an upward trend in the level of crime in Meadow Lake.

The crime rate in Meadow Lake is three times that of the provincial average.

Of the reported crimes in Meadow Lake in 2004, property crimes and frauds were the most common, comprising nearly 45 percent of all Criminal Code matters.

When it comes to property crime, nobody is immune. Ordinary citizens are most often the targets. By its very nature, property crime is one of the most personally devastating crimes. It violates the place where most of us take refuge and sanctuary from the world, and leaves us feeling angry and powerless.

Protect Our Property will focus on offenders who commit property crimes in an effort to reduce this type of criminal activity in Meadow Lake.

For the purposes of this initiative, property crime means any crime where loss of, damage to, or conversion of, property occurs or is attempted. This includes: theft; mischief involving destruction, damage, or conversion of property; arson; and break and enter.

This strategy will attack the problem in a number of different ways.

We know that there are a few specific individuals who are responsible for a significant number of property related offences.

These individuals will be targeted by the police, Corrections staff and prosecutions.

Their activities in the community will be closely monitored.

Any court imposed conditions will be strictly enforced.

Breaches of these conditions will be pursued vigorously.

Prosecutors will seek substantial penalties when these offenders are convicted of property offences.

These cases will be expedited through the courts.
The existing alternative measures program will be enhanced for first time offenders who commit property offences. Those who are found to be at a high risk to re-offend will participate in a program that is tailored to address their specific needs. In addition to redressing the wrong done, the focus will be on rehabilitating these first time offenders.

New responses to all property offences will include closer supervision of these offenders while in the community and prioritizing them for programs.

In order to ensure the success of this initiative, we have dedicated 2.5 additional positions, over and above those already present from the Meadow Lake RCMP and three units of government. There will be one additional RCMP position, one additional prosecutions position and one-half of an additional position from Adult Probation.

CPS Young Offenders Services has one existing position which will be dedicated to the initiative.

In closing, I thank all the dedicated community partners who have given their time and talents to develop this initiative. You are helping to make your communities safer places to work, live and raise a family.

Thank you.