The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Manitoba government is putting cash seized through criminal property forfeitures into the hands of law enforcement agencies and supports for victims. RCMP detachments across the province will receive over $277,000 in grants. As well, the Manitoba Justice Victim Services branch will receive $150,000 to allocate to community agencies providing enhanced supports and programs to victims of crime and their families. Part of that funding will help cover travel costs for families of homicide victims who must come to court. Some money will also be used to provide interpretation services for newcomers who need to apply for a protection order. In addition, the province is funding five new RCMP o ff i c e r s fo r Manitoba. 'Our RCMP play an important part in keeping families and communities safe, and today we're ensuring they have more of the tools and r e sour c e s the y need,' said Premier Greg Selinger. 'More officers and specialized technologies in the hands of law enforceme n t o f f i c i a l s a r e another step forward in keeping all families safe.' A s s i s t a n t Commissioner Kevin Brosseau, commanding officer of the RCMP in Manitoba, welcomed the added support. 'Fighting crime is a joint effort,' he said. 'Th e RCMP wo rk s closely with our partners in government, law enforcement, communities and public safety organizations to make Ma n i t o b a 's s t r e e t s safer.' Since Manitoba's Cr imi n a l P r o p e r t y For f e i tur e Ac t wa s enacted in 2010, over $5 million in assets have been forfeited to the province. The money recovered is deposited into the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund and used to support the work of police and victim services. More forfeiture proceedings are in process, with over 200 files currently being pursued involving numerous vehicles, houses, rural properties and cash. 'Manitoba offers some of the most comprehensive and accessible services for victims of crime. This funding will help ensure i t c o n t i n u e s , ' s a i d Justice Minister Andrew Swan. 'We are building partnerships and capacity in our communities to help victims and their families, while also making critical investments to prevent crimes and victimization in the future.' _ Compiled from a G o v e r n m e n t o f Manitoba news release
