The Town of Drumheller is concerned about possible changes that could see the Alberta Government disband the Alberta Law Enforcement Response team (ALERT).
ALERT was established to combat organized crime and serious crime. Together, more than 300 municipal police and RCMP officers across the province work to investigate everything from drug trafficking to child exploitation and gang activity.
There are concerns however that ALERT may be disbanded. Mayor Terry Yemen wrote a letter to the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Galley to request that the minister ensure sufficient and sustainable funding to support ALERT’s continued operations.
“I am writing to strongly support ALERT’s continued presence in our province and encourage your government to provide sufficient and sustainable funding for ALERT’s continued operation in Alberta. The benefits of the ALERT program cannot be understated and the strength of the program lies in the integration of members from various agencies who have expertise in intelligence, enforcement and support services,” he writes.
In Drumheller, ALERT has been involved with a number of investigations including a 2010 investigation that dismantled a $4.8 million grow op north of the town. In 2012, three men were charged with possession of cocaine, mushrooms and marijuana. Most recently, an ALERT investigation shut down a grow op in Stettler last October.
Drumheller is in a unique situation being in close proximity of the Drumheller Institution.
“For instance, Drumheller Institution riots impact the Town’s police services through additional overtime charges and time commitments in investigations,” states Yemen.
“The Province has a major role in the delivery and funding of police services and the ALERT program is one way that Provincial dollars can be used to match that obligation. Reduced resources reduce the capability to provide assistance, expertise and skill set for organized crime teams to target and investigate crimes. If the ALERT program is not in place, the costs to carry out these types of complex crime investigations and enforcement is then transferred to municipalities, making the cost of policing, once again, more expensive for municipalities.”
Drumheller is a member of the Alberta Association of Police Governance, and it too wishes that ALERT continues to receive stable funding.
“Over the past three years, funding for ALERT has been reduced by almost one third, or $12.5 million. By next fiscal year, ALERT will be forced to cut more than 70 officers in order to address the projected budget shortfall. ALERT expenditures significantly exceed grant funding and reserve funds have been depleted. Without a significant investment and financial commitment, ALERT’s operations and existing teams will be threatened.” stated Chair of the Alberta Association of Police Governance Terry Noble in a letter to the Solicitor General.
