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ShareAlberta briefs - Oct 10
Published: October 10, 2008 7:45 AMUpdated: October 10, 2008 9:50 AM
Fewer youths involved in justice system
CALGARY — A new study says fewer young people have been involved in Alberta’s criminal justice system since the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act came into effect in 2003.
The report by the Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family says the number of Albertans aged 12 -17 charged with offences declined by 27 per cent.
Joseph Hornick, the institute’s executive director, said the statistics show the Youth Criminal Justice Act is reducing the incarceration rates of young Canadians.
He called the report the first in-depth study into Alberta’s youth crime rate since the Act came into force. The report also said there is a shortage of community services for young people who are chronic and persistent offenders.
The Alberta Law Foundation funded the report.
Housing for family violence victims
CALGARY — A private charity and the Alberta government are helping 50 victims of family violence move from women’s shelters into safe homes.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation says having woman and children move into homes where they can access mental health and domestic violence support programs will help them change their lives.
Foundation spokeswoman Brigitte Baradoy says without such programs victims must sometimes choose between homelessness or moving back into a home where they may face more violence.
The province is paying for about three-quarters of the cost of the million-dollar project.
The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters says the province leads Canada in domestic assaults, murder-suicides and stalking.
Dangerous road needs policing
REDWATER — RCMP say the number of collisions and deaths along a dangerous stretch of highway in northern Alberta highlight the problems of speeding, aggressive driving and drinking and driving.
In the first eight months of this year, there have been 16 collisions resulting in six deaths and 11 serious injuries on Highway 63, which connects Edmonton to Fort McMurray.
RCMP say they’ve been developing strategies to reduce the number of collisions. They’ve resulted in more than 4,600 charges, including speeding and liquor and drug-related charges, the arrest of seven impaired drivers and 17 suspended drivers.
