ORGANIZED CRIME WORKSHOP A SUCCESS

A first-of-its-kind workshop in the province is addressing gang and organized crime violence in Saskatchewan communities.

Representatives from RCMP, municipal police, corrections, and prosecutions shared ideas about the prevention, intervention, and suppression of organized crime and gangs at a two-day workshop in Regina: Organized Crime and Gangs: Their Impact on Violence in our Communities.

"We are committed to fighting crime in this province," Justice Minister Don Morgan said. "By organizing ourselves, we can use our combined resources to further the planning and development of government, community, Aboriginal and police responses to organized crime and gangs."

The intention of the workshop is to support a government- and community-focused strategy to address organized and violent crime in western provinces including Saskatchewan.

"We recognize how much of an impact organized crime has on our communities, the safety of citizens in their homes, on our streets, and its influence over our young people," Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister Darryl Hickie said. "We need our youth learning skills that make them good citizens so they have the foundation to enjoy the prosperity and freedom this province and this country have to offer."

The workshop took place February 12-13 at the Regina Inn. This workshop was planned as a result of recent Federal/Provincial/Territorial meetings on public safety issues and a joint cabinet meeting between Alberta and Saskatchewan where it was determined that organized crime is an issue that the provinces need to focus on.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Andrew Dinsmore
Justice/CPSP
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6043
Email: andrew.dinsmore@gov.sk.ca