CONTROL OF GANG ACTIVITY TO BE INCREASED FURTHER

This year, government will invest $745,000, with on-going funding of more than $2 million annually to expand suppression of gang activity.

"Keeping Saskatchewan communities safe is a top priority of our government, and making Saskatchewan inhospitable to organized crime and gangs is an important part of that strategy," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said. "We are taking the next step in our ongoing commitment to the fight against gang activity in our province."

Nine RCMP investigators will be added in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, to work with the municipal police forces to deal with gang activity in those communities. The RCMP will add one new Criminal Intelligence Analyst in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert, as well. One investigator will be added to the Prince Albert Municipal Police Services, and an officer will be put in charge of the program, which will alternate between the RCMP and the municipal police services involved.

Two new prosecutors will be posted in Regina and Saskatoon, to respond to the increase in gang activity investigations and prosecutions that will occur.

This strategy is the province-wide implementation of a project that began in early 2005 in Regina by Criminal Intelligence Services Saskatchewan, to which the province contributed $78,000. During the pilot period, 50 search warrants were executed, resulting in 112 persons charged with 361 Criminal Code offences. More than $500,000 in drugs, cash and stolen property were seized.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: (306) 787-8606