The Crime Reduction Team initiative, which got underway in North Battleford in February, is now becoming a permanent fixture plus it is being expanded to Prince Albert.

The Ministry of Corrections and Policing says it is providing approximately 1.6 million dollars to the RCMP for a 14 full time team made up of 10 police officers and four support staff. They will make up two permanent CRTs with one operating out of North Battleford and one out of Prince Albert.

The CRTs’ main goal will be to conduct targeted enforcement also known as hotspotting. What and who they target is based on intelligence received, analysis of crime trends and consultations with community leaders. This may include high visibility patrols; tracking chronic offenders; tackling street-gang activity and executing arrest warrants.

70% of the RCMP positions will be funded via the Provincial Policing Services Agreement. Since the CRT pilot program kicked off in North Battleford around 4 months ago it has executed 193 arrest warrants which includes charges against 26 known gang members and affiliates.