Neudorf says UCP plan aims to make cities safer
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on May 10, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com The UCP has announced a plan to make cities safer if the party is re-elected to govern Alberta on May 29.The Safe Streets Action plan was unveiled Tuesday and consists of comprehensive measures aimed at improving safety in Alberta communities and on public transit.
The plan would increase monitoring of dangerous offenders who are out of custody on bail, “keep hard drugs and guns off Alberta streets and protect women and children facing abuse,” says the UCP.
UCP candidate for Lethbridge East Nathan Neudorf on Tuesday afternoon told The Herald “violent crime is increasing across Alberta and the problem exists in Lethbridge as well. It is fueled by drugs, illegal weapons, and the broken federal “catch and release” bail system. The federal Liberals are not dealing with these issues, and the NDP seem determined to make these problems worse by supporting defunding the police and flooding our streets with taxpayer-funded drugs.
“Enough is enough. We have to take action. The UCP plan will address the broken bail system, fight back against gang violence, crack down on the fentanyl and illegal firearms trade, and keep violent and sexual offenders off our streets,” said Neudorf.
“We are putting criminals on notice that Albertans will no longer tolerate being harassed, frightened, or victimized. We will do what it takes to make Albertans to feel safe on their streets, in their communities, and on public transit.”
In a release, UCP leader Danielle Smith said “every day Albertans wake up to news that someone in their community has been attacked . . or even worse. Enough is enough. We have to take action to ensure Albertans feel safe again. We will address the Liberal/NDP catch-and-release bail system and gang violence, crack down on the fentanyl and gun trade, and keep violent offenders and sexual offenders off our streets. Anything less is unacceptable.”
The UCP says violent crime has increased in Calgary and Edmonton fueled by several factors including drugs, illegal guns and the federal “revolving door” bail system.
One element of the plan calls for putting bracelet monitors on dangerous offenders who have been released on bail and deploying sheriffs to monitor them.
The UCP will add 100 more officers on street of Alberta cities and continue to deploy sheriffs to work alongside police in Calgary and Edmonton under the plan.
New anti-fentanyl and anti-gun trafficking teams will be created and funding will be increased for units focusing on gang suppression and internet child exploitation.
The UCP says it make it easier for parents to know the whereabouts of violent and sexual offenders while increasing investments in women’s shelters and counseling for sex assaults. Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
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