Town of Banff

Banff receives grant from Safe Communities

Banff, AB  - A grant from the Government of Alberta’s Safe Communities Initiative will go a long way to helping the Town of Banff prevent drug and alcohol-related crime in a new initiative aimed at the resort town’s at-risk young adults.

The Town of Banff will receive $235,054 over three years from the Government of Alberta to develop and implement a program in partnership with Banff RCMP that would see the town offer wrap around services and outreach for its 20 to 34 year-old service industry workers, who are typically new to Banff and often transient.

“Every community is unique and has its own specific needs. The Safe Communities Initiative is a great way for communities across Alberta to develop and tailor projects that address their local priorities,” said Janis Tarchuk, MLA for Banff-Cochrane. “I applaud the Town of Banff for recognizing the need to work together to reduce crime, which will ultimately help build a safer, stronger community.”

The Banff initiative, developed in partnership with the RCMP, includes hiring a dedicated full time outreach worker who will initiate both direct contact and preventative programming.

“We are very grateful to the Province of Alberta for this grant,” said Karen Sorensen, Mayor of the Town of Banff. “Banff attracts many young adults to come for a season or two to experience the best we have to offer. At times, their youth and enthusiasm makes them vulnerable to excesses. This program will help those most at risk make wise choices and keep them from becoming involved in the justice system.”

Building on the work of the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force, the Government of Alberta’s Crime Prevention Framework is the province’s strategic roadmap for crime prevention. In addition, the Framework emphasizes that crime prevention is a shared responsibility by individual citizens, families, neighbourhoods, municipalities, community-based service delivery agencies, the private sector and all levels of government.

For more information contact:
Shawn Carr, Town of Banff
403-762-1252

Issued by Alberta Justice, Province of Alberta