Article content

The United Conservative Party says its plan to tackle crime in rural areas targets increasingly brazen and violent criminals.

The proposal, released Wednesday, calls for a response system linking police services, the establishment of units in each judicial district focused on high-risk offenders and a potential ombudsman for victims of crime.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or UCP releases plan to tackle 'brazen and violent' rural crime Back to video

UCP justice critic Angela Pitt said town hall meetings held across the province in the lead-up to the report pointed to “a dangerous shift” involving criminals, often repeat offenders, “preying on the vulnerabilities of residents.”

“Communities and police have been overwhelmed by the escalating brazenness and violence of crimes, and the sheer scale of the criminal activity occurring throughout Alberta,” she said at a news conference in Calgary.

UCP solicitor general critic Mike Ellis said a small number of organized, repeat offenders are committing the majority of crime in rural areas, according to police.