The Saskatchewan government believes a legislative amendment introduced today will help address rural crime.
The update to “The Police Act” will allow municipalities with populations of less than 500 to join regional police services.
Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell says the change will give those communities an additional option to address rural crime.
The Sask Party says pursuing regional policing in the province was a recommendation of the Caucus Committee on Rural Crime.
Meanwhile an amendment to the Seizure of Criminal Property Act expands the number of crimes covered under what is presumed to be property used for illegal means and therefore subject to forfeiture, meaning it would have to be handed over to the authorities.
The onus is placed on the defendant that the property shouldn’t be forfeited.
Tell says the expansion would cover things like allowing the seizure of a vehicle used to deal drugs or from a vehicle owner with a history of impaired driving suspensions.
” Property that was previously subject to a community safety order under The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act;
” Vehicle owners with a history of impaired driving suspensions;
” Gang or terrorist activity involving prohibited and restricted firearms; and
” Matters involving sexual offences, including sexual offences with child victims.