Criminal Assets Go to Calgary Kids for Crime Prevention

As reported by Global News, the nearly three-million dollars currently filling the coffers of the Civil Forfeiture Fund the fund created from the sale or management of assets seized in criminal proceedings will largely be going to youth programs throughout Alberta aimed at preventing crime.

The expenditures recently allocated from the Civil Forfeiture Fund include a two-year $500,000 grant for Calgary's YouthLink Interpretive Center, whose purpose is to mentor and educate minors facing difficult decisions and situations. Such funding is hoped to have a direct impact on overall rates of youth criminality and on assisting youths "on the edge" of criminality and the Calgary court and criminal justice system.

"This grant to the YouthLink Interpretive Centre puts the proceeds of crime back into the community to prevent crime, support victims and keep our youth safe, Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General said.

Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson joined in praising the decision by Alberta's government, noting "It will focus on youth education, crime prevention, and intervention so that young people are engaged and empowered to make good decisions.”

Other youth programs in the Calgary area and throughout Alberta will also benefit from the assets seized in criminal cases. Selected programs tackle a variety of issues related to youth criminality, including bullying, drug offences, gangs, and Internet safety.

The current Civil Forfeiture Fund will yield a total of $2.8 million for crime prevention and victim support services.