Crime Prevention Week 2001
By David MacLean

Solicitor General Heather Forsyth and Inspector Rene Bailly speak with reporters in Calgary before climbing aboard the HAWC1 helicopter for a ridealong.

Across the province, people were once again focusing on ways to keep their communities safe as part of Crime Prevention Week 2001.

Running from May 11-18, the week featured a wide variety of events aimed at spreading awareness about crime prevention, and recognizing those who have made significant volunteer contributions to crime prevention in their community.

Solicitor General Heather Forsyth officially kicked off the week when she hopped aboard the Calgary Police Service's HAWC 1 helicopter for a tour around the city. Later that day she delivered the closing remarks at the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association's Annual Crime Prevention Symposium.

Forsyth also paid a visit to one of this year's Crime Prevention Award Recipients, the Dickinsfield Community Partnership. The Dickinsfield Partnership is devoted to building strength and pride in their community. Other stops included Queen Elizabeth High School to visit with students and School Resource Officer Mark Coates.

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$582,000 to help prevent crime in Alberta communities

Students at Queen Elizabeth High School created artwork describing their vision of the role of School Resource Officers in school. From left to right are Alma Carrillos, Grace Cho, Solicitor General Heather Forsyth, Christopher Bird, and Constable Mark Coates.

Alberta Solicitor General's Community Crime Prevention Grant Program provided more than $582,000 to bolster the efforts of 74 Alberta crime prevention projects.

The Community Crime Prevention Grant Program was introduced in 1999 as part of the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy: Focus on Crime Prevention — A Strategy for Alberta.

"Community crime prevention programs are extremely successful across Alberta," said Solicitor General Heather Forsyth.

"This funding pays dividends many times over by helping keep our communities safe."

The Community Crime Prevention Grant Fund provided $201,957 for 44 projects, and $41,434 for five Models of Practice. The one-time only call for the Aboriginal
Community Crime Prevention Grant (grants up to $20,000) is providing $321,219 for 24 projects and $17,500 for one Model of Practice.

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Top crime fighters recieve awards

On May 12, Solicitor General Heather Forsyth presented awards to Alberta's top crime prevention volunteers.

Seven individuals, including one youth under the new youth leadership category, one business, two police members and two community organizations were recognized at the 10th annual Crime Prevention Awards Ceremony.

"You are ordinary Albertans who are expanding the definition of citizenship in our province," Forsyth said to the recipients. "Albertans like yourselves going out each day and trying to make a small difference is the lifeblood of crime prevention in the province."

Crime Prevention Award Recipients: