The Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act allows for the seizure of the proceeds and instruments of crime and then compensates victims and communities affected by those crimes. Since early January 2009, police agencies from across the province have been referring files to Alberta’s new Civil Forfeiture Office. In the past two months alone, property valued at more than $500,000 has been seized. Seized items include seven vehicles, one of which was used in an attempt to run down a police officer, and a rural acreage used for a marijuana grow operation. The resale value of the property seized to date is more than $500,000, while the total value of illegal profit connected to this is $4.6 million.

The new legislation expands and extends the scope of powers already available to police and prosecutors under the Criminal Code. This new law along with a streamlined court procedure allows these powers to be used faster and more effectively. In the coming months, prosecutors will be taking seized property cases to Court and will be asking for the property to be sold. Any proceeds from these sales will be returned to victims of crime and victims’ groups.

“This law has real teeth. If you are involved in criminal activity, you need to be aware that we have the power to come and take away your luxury SUV, your home or your bag full of drug money. You will lose that property.” said Redford.

The Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act was passed on December 17, 2008. Implementing the legislation was a recommendation under Alberta’s Safe Communities initiative to target factors that give rise to crime and promote safe communities. The Alberta government’s Safe Communities Secretariat has a three year mandate to develop a long term crime reduction and prevention strategy and promote innovative safe community strategies. To learn more about the Secretariat, please visit: www.safecommunities.gov.ab.ca.