The Alberta Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force

Discussion Guide and Questionnaire

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Table of Contents

Ensuring Safety and Security in Our Communities _____________________________________________ 1

The Criminal Justice System in Alberta _____________________________________________________________ 2

The Changing Face of Crime in Alberta _____________________________________________________________ 2

Factors that Affect Crime __________________________________________________________________________________ 3

Crimes of Particular Concern in Alberta _____________________________________________________________ 4

Crime Prevention ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 7

Ways to Give Your Input ____________________________________________________________________________________ 8

Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Questionnaire ___________________________________ 10

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Think About It: Has your community changed recently? Do you feel these changes have contributed to crime?

Ensuring Safety and Security in Our Communities

Crime reduction and safe communities in AlbertaMost Albertans are hard-working, law abiding citizens who enjoy an excellent quality of life and make significant contributions to the well-being of their communities. Every day, we welcome new people to share in our booming economy and become productive members of our province.

Generally, Albertans go about their daily activities and feel quite safe from crime in their neighbourhoods. But Alberta has experienced some high profile, violent crimes that have focused our attention on the victims, the offenders and ultimately the criminal justice system. Increasing public confidence in the criminal justice system continues to be a high priority.

Although the overall crime rate in Alberta declined in 2005, it is still higher than the national average and fourth highest of the provinces. New ideas are needed to address crime, help Albertans feel safe and build trust in our criminal justice system. What causes crime? What can we do to reduce crime? Where do we start?

The Government of Alberta has made safe communities a priority. While the government has undertaken many initiatives to address crime, we can’t do it alone. In fact, to address crime in a meaningful way, it works best when the community drives the process.

Hearing concerns and ideas from AlbertansThat is why the Government of Alberta has appointed the Alberta Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force. The task force members will be talking directly with Albertans to find ways to reduce crime, enhance community safety and improve public confidence in the criminal justice system.

They will be visiting 14 Alberta communities this spring to hear concerns and, more importantly, gather input on successful best practices that can be shared more broadly across the province.

A forum with stakeholders will be held in June to discuss what the task force has heard from Albertans. Finally, a report outlining the task force’s recommendations will be given to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General this summer.

The task force is part of the Integrated Crime Reduction Strategy – a cross-ministry initiative with 13 partnering government departments. These partners have been compiling and analyzing a great deal of research from all over the world on the latest ways to reduce the root causes of crime.

This discussion guide and accompanying questionnaire are meant to stimulate discussion and ideas about crime reduction issues that Albertans feel are important.

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The Changing Face of Crime in Alberta

The criminal justice system has two main purposes: • to protect individuals and society from criminal activities that threaten their lives, health and property • to ensure that those who are charged and/or convicted of committing a criminal act are treated fairly and justly.

The key players are: • police and other peace officers who investigate crime and enforce the law • Crown prosecutors who present the evidence and facts of cases in the public interest • defence lawyers who present evidence on behalf of accused people • judges who interpret and uphold the laws in our courts, and make decisions • correctional services staff who ensure court orders are carried out • community partners who work to rehabilitate offenders and offer assistance to victims.

Under the Canadian Constitution, the federal Parliament in Ottawa has responsibility to make criminal law and has exclusive authority over the Criminal Code of Canada and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (formerly the Young Offenders Act). The province cannot change federal legislation, however, we do make our views about criminal justice issues known to the federal government through the appropriate channels.

The Government of Alberta is responsible for the administration of criminal justice, including policing, the courts, prosecutions, and correctional services. In addition, Alberta can pass laws that are not criminal in nature. Examples of provincial laws include: the Traffic Safety Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Wildlife Act, the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act; the Drug-endangered Children Act; the Protection Against Family Violence Act; the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act; and the Protection of Children Involved in Prostitution Act.

Strong population growth and a healthy economy have put pressure on many services government provides to Albertans, and justice is no exception. It’s a sad truth that wherever there is money to be made, there are some who will plot and scheme to acquire that money in illegal ways. These crimes are being committed in both rural and urban Alberta.

Police face a constant battle to keep up with an increase in organized crime, gangs and the availability of highly-addictive drugs. As a result, prosecutor caseloads are increasing, courts are busier and jails are becoming more crowded.

Since the Alberta Summit on Justice in 1999, much has been done to help fight crime in communities across Alberta. Initiatives include: • adding a significant number of police officers • hiring new prosecutors • appointing new judges to hear more cases • creating specialized units of police and prosecutors to tackle issues such as organized crime and crimes

against children, including Internet child exploitation

Think About It: Would it help to know more about how our justice system works? What ways would best enable you to learn more about the justice system?

The Criminal Justice System in Alberta

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Crime is affected by factors such as: • demographic changes and trends, such as an increase in the population of young people or high rates of mobility and transiency (people who move away from their home community to find work) • changes in the criminal justice system, such as different policing practices or new laws • having either too little or too much money, both of which present separate sets of problems that can influence criminal behaviour • availability of community supports such as schooling resources, mental health and addictions services, resources

for parents, recreational opportunities, etc.

While offenders come from a variety of backgrounds and commit crimes for different reasons, there are some common factors that they may share. These factors increase the likelihood that an individual will engage in crime and can be the result of people’s choices, their environment, or their ability to respond to the demands or requirements of life’s challenges.

Some examples include: • age (most offenders are between the ages of 18 and 24 years) • previous involvement in crime • drug and alcohol abuse • mental health issues • physical abuse or neglect • poor parent-child relationships and lax or inconsistent disciplining of children • gang membership, or having friends who commit crimes • poor attitude towards school and poor performance in school • availability of drugs and firearms.

Other characteristics can reduce the influence of the risk factors.

Some examples include: • understanding the difference between what is right and wrong • social, problem-solving and coping skills • supportive relationships with family and friends • parental monitoring • good family communication • interacting with people who have healthy beliefs and positive behaviour • commitment to school.

Think About It: What factors do you think contribute to crime in your community?

Think About It: Have you recently found yourself reading a newspaper or watching TV and getting upset about a court decision? Would knowing more about how judges make sentencing decisions improve your confidence in the justice system?

Factors that Affect Crime

• opening drug and domestic violence courts, with community agencies banding together to better help victims and rehabilitate offenders.

These initiatives have made their mark to reduce crime, and in 2006, 74 per cent of Albertans polled said they had confidence in Alberta’s justice system. Yet more needs to be done.

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Crimes of Particular Concern in Alberta

Official crime statistics provide a useful picture of crime in Alberta, but they often don’t tell the entire story. For example, not all crimes are reported to the police, so there is likely more crime than the reported numbers indicate.

The crime rate is a key indicator of social and economic well-being within a society and indicates how many crimes have been reported to the police per 100,000 people. The crime rate includes all Criminal Code offences, such as property crime, violent crime and youth crime, but does not include traffic violations or drug offences.

The Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics provides the most current crime statistics. The most current year available is 2005. The good news was in that year, Alberta’s overall crime rate declined. Still, it remained higher than the national average. While this rate was the lowest of the four western provinces it was still the fourth highest overall.

By the NumbersMany Albertans are concerned about the criminal justice system’s ability to respond effectively to violent crimes, especially because statistics tell us that Alberta’s violent crime rate has been higher than the Canadian average for the last 10 years.

Violent crimes include homicide, attempted murder, assault, sexual assault, other sexual offences, abduction and robbery. Many violent crimes are committed by people who know each other, particularly those who know each other through illegal activities involving gangs or drugs.

We also know that violent crime is not only a problem in urban areas, but also in many rural areas in Alberta. In 2005, 59 per cent of violent crimes were committed in areas outside of Edmonton and Calgary, with rates being the highest in areas surrounding Hobbema and Fort McMurray.

Homicide Homicide, the most serious of all criminal acts, includes first and second degree murder, manslaughter and infanticide. Impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, criminal negligence causing death and attempted murder are not included in homicide rates.

In 2005: • Alberta’s homicide rate was 3.3 per 100,000 people; 64 per cent higher than the Canadian average and third

highest of all the provinces • Close to half (44 per cent) of Alberta’s 109 homicides were committed outside of the major cities of Edmonton

and Calgary • Edmonton recorded the highest homicide rate of the nine largest cities in Canada, at a rate of 4.3 per 100,000

people. This was its highest rate since 1981.

Sexual Assault and Other Sexual OffencesThe Criminal Code classifies sexual assaults according to the seriousness of the incident: level 1 causes the least physical injury to the victim; level 2 includes sexual assault with a weapon, threats to use a weapon, or causing bodily harm; level 3 includes sexual assault that wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of the victim. Level 3 sexual assaults are often referred to as aggravated sexual assaults.

Other sexual offences include such crimes as sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, sexual exploitation, incest and offences in relation to juvenile prostitution. It is important to note many sexual offences are not reported.

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In 2005: • Alberta’s sexual assault rate declined by 10 per cent and fell below the Canadian rate for the first time in

almost 10 years • More than half (56 per cent) of the sexual assaults reported in Alberta were committed outside of the major cities of Edmonton and Calgary.

Internet based sexual exploitation of children and youth allows pedophiles to anonymously contact children and youth, and it also supports the collection and distribution of child pornography.

• Studies suggest that 20 per cent of children and youth who use the Internet have received an unwanted sexual solicitation.

Family ViolenceFamily violence can include many Criminal Code offences, such as assault, sexual assault and homicide. Family violence is not a specific offence. • In 2004*, Alberta had the highest rate of spousal assault against women • From 1975 to 2004, Alberta has generally had the third highest spousal homicide rate of all the provinces.

*2004 is the most recent data available for these statistics

Youth CrimeYouth crimes include Criminal Code offences committed by youth who are 12 to 17 years old. They are dealt with under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Youth under the age of 12 cannot be held criminally responsible. Over the last 10 years, Alberta has generally remained within the top four provinces for the number of youth charged with violent crimes.

In 2005: • Alberta’s overall youth crime rate declined significantly, mostly because of a decline in property crimes • However, Alberta’s youth property crime rate remains the third highest of all the provinces and is 43 per cent

higher than the national average • Alberta had a 33 per cent higher rate than the rest of Canada for youths accused of homicide • Although the number of youths charged with motor vehicle theft in Alberta was at its lowest in 10 years, the rate

remained the third highest of all the provinces and 27 per cent higher than the national average • Alberta’s rate for youth charged with fraud was the second highest in the country and 52 per cent higher than the national average • Alberta’s rate for youth charged with drug offences was 6.8 times higher than in 1996, and the third highest of all the provinces.

Property CrimeProperty crimes include breaking and entering (residential, business and other), motor vehicle theft, theft, possession of stolen goods and fraud. Mischief (e.g. vandalism, graffiti) and arson are defined as “other Criminal Code offences” and are not included in property crime rates.

In 2005: • Alberta’s property crime rate was above the Canadian average and the fourth highest of all the provinces • Alberta’s motor vehicle theft rate was third highest of all provinces and significantly higher than the Canadian rate • Of the 21,231 motor vehicle thefts in Alberta in 2005, almost half (44 per cent) occurred in Edmonton • Edson, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Leduc, Red Deer and the communities and areas around High Level,

Hobbema and St. Paul all recorded motor vehicle theft rates well above the provincial average • Alberta’s fraud rate was well above the Canadian average and the highest of all the provinces • Edmonton has the highest fraud rate of the nine major cities in Canada • Banff, Grande Prairie, St. Paul, as well as Hobbema all have higher fraud rates than Edmonton.

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“ We need to take a proactive approach and examine the root causes of crime. We need to assess how these factors relate and how they ultimately contribute to crime in the province so we can develop ways to reduce it.” - Heather Forsyth, Chair of the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force

Think About It:What crimes do you feel are of the biggest concern to your community?

Impaired DrivingImpaired driving includes the charges of operating a vehicle (motor vehicle, boat or aircraft) while impaired or with a blood alcohol content over 80 mg, failure to provide a breath or blood sample, and impaired operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm or death.

In 2005: • Alberta’s rate of impaired driving causing death was above the national average, despite a significant decline from its 2004 and 2003 rates • Edmonton’s impaired driving causing death rate has declined over the last three years and has remained below

the national average since 1996 • Calgary’s 2005 impaired driving causing death rate was also above the national average and was up from its

2004 rate.

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Crime Prevention

Crime rates do not decrease simply by increasing the number of police officers on the street or lawyers in the courtroom. And, while changes to laws are sometimes needed, they will not solve the entire problem either. To reduce crime in Alberta, we must work on preventing crime from occurring in the first place.

It is particularly important that crime prevention strategies be supported at the local level by everyone in the community.

Research tells us a lot about effective ways to prevent crime. Generally, we know that crime prevention programs should be inclusive, community-focused, culturally-sensitive, and targeted to vulnerable, at-risk and under-represented populations, such as children, youth, and the homeless.

Eliminating Crime-Causing FactorsTo prevent crime, a wide range of approaches can be used. Many of the approaches are community-based.

To name just a few: • early intervention programs that focus on the positive social development of children and youth, such as those

that teach problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills • parenting programs that support parents in raising healthy children • physical fitness and sports programs for children and teens • public education programs and programs that support higher levels of post-secondary education • programs that assist families in finding employment and safe and affordable housing • programs that help people deal with mental health and substance abuse issues • programs that ensure a child-friendly justice system • programs aimed at social inclusion and diversity • programs that provide assistance and information to potential and actual victims.

Research shows that in most cases, using just one approach will likely not solve the entire crime problem.

Community Action is EssentialCommunities in Alberta have been very active and successful in creating local responses to address the specific problems in their areas. It is important to remember that every community is unique and crime reduction strategies should be tailored to each.

For example, without the work of community groups, we would not have domestic violence courts established in eight Alberta centres. Many community groups have worked together on setting up these courts to prevent and address family violence, to allow quicker access to justice, and to provide more targeted services and counselling for both victims and the accused. The courts create an avenue for government ministries, police and community agencies to work together to address family violence and participate collectively in the criminal justice response. This community collaboration is the most effective way to address the variety of factors contributing to family violence.

Another partnership is the Edmonton Drug Treatment and Community Restoration Court pilot project. This innovative court is a partnership between the criminal justice system, drug addiction treatment services, and the community. It offers therapeutic and restorative justice, which focuses on rehabilitation and accountability for one’s actions. Without treatment or rehabilitation, drug abusers and traffickers often return to destructive lifestyles and continued criminal activity.

Think About It:Does your community use any or enough approaches - such as the above - to eliminate crime-causing factors? What else do you think can be done to reduce the factors that cause crime in your community?

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Ways to Give Your Input

You can provide your input in a couple of different ways. One is to fill out the questionnaire that begins on page 10. There are several ways to do this:

Online at: www.safecommunities.gov.ab.ca By faxing it to: (780) 421-4502 By mailing it to: Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force c/o Accurate Data Services Inc. 400, 10621 – 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 9Z9Please submit your completed questionnaire by May 31, 2007.

You can also attend a community discussion and open house at one of the following locations:

Date City/Town Facility

Monday, April 23 Wainwright Wainwright & District Communiplex 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 1018-2 Avenue

Wednesday, April 25 Edson Recreation Centre 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. #1 Golf Course Road (East end of Town, next to RV Park)

Friday, April 27 St. Paul Royal Canadian Legion 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 4925-49 Avenue

Monday, April 30 Edmonton Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 11834 Kingsway Avenue

Tuesday, May 1 Hobbema Ermineskin Junior/Senior High School 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Schoolhouse Road

Friday, May 4 Grande Prairie Grande Prairie Inn 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 11633 Clairmont Road

Monday, May 7 Lethbridge Lethbridge Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 320 Scenic Drive South

Tuesday, May 8 Brooks Heritage Inn 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 1217-2nd Street West

Wednesday, May 9 Medicine Hat Medicine Hat Lodge 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 1051 Ross Glen Drive SE

Monday, May 14 Red Deer Red Deer Lodge and Conference Centre 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 4311-49 Avenue

Tuesday, May 15 Fort McMurray Quality Hotel and Conference Centre 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 424 Gregoire Drive

Tuesday, May 22 High Level Executive House Suites and Conference Centre 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 9815-101 Street

Wednesday, May 23 Banff Banff Park Lodge Resort Hotel and Conference Centre 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. 222 Lynx Street

Thursday, May 24 Calgary MacEwan Centre Hall 8, University of Calgary 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 2500 University Drive

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“ Addressing crime in a meaningful way requires ideas and solutions to be driven by the community. I can tell you our best results have come when the province has partnered with the public to drive crime- reduction strategies. We want to hear from Albertans about their biggest concerns and, more importantly, what solutions they propose.” - Ron Stevens, Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General

Think About It:Are there any other ways you can think of where your community can partner with the legal system to better prevent or respond to crime? Are there things your community could do on its own?

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Crime Reduction and Safe Communities - Questionnaire

On behalf of the Alberta Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force, we ask that you take a few moments and complete the questions below.

Your participation will assist in finding ways to reduce crime, enhance community safety and improve public confidence in the criminal justice system.

The information you provide is collected anonymously. Only aggregate data will be reported. Individual responses will be kept confidential. Your responses are voluntary and you do not have to answer any question that you do not feel comfortable with. You must be 18 years of age or older to respond to the survey.

Please forward your response by May 31, 2007. You can provide your response by mail in the envelope provided or by fax to: Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force c/o Accurate Data Services Inc. 400, 10621 – 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 9Z9 Fax number: (780) 421-4502

Section 1: Your Concerns About Crime

1. Where does crime fit into your list of priority concerns? q High q Medium q Low q Not at all

2. In your opinion, which three crimes are most common in your community? Use the numbers 1 to 3 to rank them with 1 being the most common.

___ Assault___ Sexual offences (e.g. sexual assault, incest)___ Child & youth sexual exploitation (e.g. Internet luring, child pornography)___ Prostitution___ Drug related offences (e.g. drug trafficking, drug possession)___ Robbery___ Homicide ___ Family violence-related offences (e.g. spousal assault, spousal homicide)___ Youth crime (i.e., crimes committed by youth under 18 years of age)___ Breaking and entering___ Mischief (e.g. vandalism, graffiti, arson)___ Theft___ Motor vehicle theft___ Fraud (e.g. identity theft, mortgage fraud)___ Impaired driving___ Careless driving Others, please list ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Section 2: Enhancing Safety in Your Community

3. In your opinion, which three crimes do you think are most likely to happen to you and your family? Using the numbers 1 to 3, rank them, with 1 being the crime of greatest concern.

___ Assault___ Sexual offences (e.g. sexual assault, incest)___ Child & youth sexual exploitation (e.g. Internet luring, child pornography)___ Prostitution___ Drug related offences (e.g. drug trafficking, drug possession)___ Robbery___ Homicide ___ Family violence-related offences (e.g. spousal assault, spousal homicide)___ Youth crime (i.e., crimes committed by youth under 18 years of age)___ Breaking and entering___ Mischief (e.g. vandalism, graffiti, arson)___ Theft___ Motor vehicle theft___ Fraud (e.g. identity theft, mortgage fraud)___ Impaired driving___ Careless driving Others, please list ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Each of the following conditions may or may not be a problem in your community. Please tick one box for each condition to show if it is a problem to you and your family.

Condition Not a Problem Small Problem Big Problem Don’t Know

Poorly lit streets q q q q

Poorly lit parking lots and parkades q q q q

Graffiti & vandalism q q q q

Groups of young kids hanging around q q q q

Intoxicated people q q q q

Drug houses and drug dealers q q q q

Homeless people q q q q

Prostitution q q q q

Garbage on the streets q q q q

Presence of unfamiliar people/vehicles on the streets q q q q

Loud music and parties q q q q

Empty, derelict or boarded up buildings q q q q

Unconcerned neighbours q q q q

Fast cars q q q q

Others, please list ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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5. Of the following changes in society, which do you believe influence crime in your community? Please rank them using the numbers 1 to 8, with 1 having the most influence and 8 having the least influence.

___ Technology (e.g. the Internet)___ Growth in population___ Transient workers (e.g. people who move away from their home community to find work)___ Hot economy (e.g. increased wealth, availability of more money)___ Poverty___ Increased number of young people___ Media/entertainment___ Family breakdown Others, please list ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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6. Of the following individual factors, which do you believe influence crime in your community? Please rank them using the numbers 1 to 9, with 1 having the most influence and 9 having the least influence.

___ Availability of drugs and alcohol___ Drug and substance abuse___ Availability of firearms___ Mental health issues___ Lack of education or low literacy___ Physical abuse and neglect___ Poor parenting___ Gang membership___ Bullying Others, please list ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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7. What programs or services would you suggest to help you and your family feel safer in your community? Please be as specific as possible.

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Section 3: Preventing Crime in Your Community

8. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree, please rate the following statements about reducing crime in your community:

Strongly Disagree (1) Disagree (2) Neutral (3) Agree (4) Strongly Agree (5)

Statement: Don’t Know

My community is already working to reduce crime 1 2 3 4 5 q

I am aware of the crime prevention programs currently in place in

my community 1 2 3 4 5 q

The crime prevention programs currently in place in my community

are effective in reducing crime 1 2 3 4 5 q

The focus of reducing crime should be on preventing crime before it occurs 1 2 3 4 5 q

Crime prevention programs need to be supported by the community 1 2 3 4 5 q

My community has the capacity to reduce crime 1 2 3 4 5 q

Crime prevention programs should be targeted to at-risk populations 1 2 3 4 5 q

The police play the most important role in reducing crime in my community 1 2 3 4 5 q

To reduce crime, laws need to be tougher on criminals 1 2 3 4 5 q

To reduce crime, laws need to be tougher on youth 1 2 3 4 5 q

Overall, members of my community would get involved to help reduce crime 1 2 3 4 5 q

9. Are you aware of any community programs, services and activities that have been successful in reducing crime in your community? If so, what are they?

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10. Are you aware of any community programs, services and activities that have not been successful in reducing crime in your community? If so, what are they?

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11. In your opinion other than the programs, services and activities identified above, what else could be done to reduce crime in your community?

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12. Which of the following barriers do you feel prevent your community from effectively reducing crime? Please tick all that apply.

q Lack of involvement by community members q Lack of appropriate programs for children and youth q Lack of resources to support parents q Lack of alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs q Lack of mental health services q Lack of financial resources Others, please list ________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Section 4: Improving Your Confidence in the Criminal Justice System

13. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being strongly disagree and 5 being strongly agree, please rate the following statements related to your confidence in the criminal justice system:

Strongly Disagree (1) Disagree (2) Neutral (3) Agree (4) Strongly Agree (5)

Statement: Don’t Know

Knowing more about the criminal justice system would increase my confidence in it 1 2 3 4 5 q

Knowing more about how judges make sentencing decisions would improve my

confidence in the criminal justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

Knowing more about the differences between federal and provincial laws would

increase my confidence in the criminal justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

All Albertans have equal access to the justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

The criminal justice system addresses Aboriginal justice issues in an

appropriate way 1 2 3 4 5 q

Victims of crime are treated fairly in the criminal justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

The criminal justice system deals with sexual offences, including the sexual

exploitation of children and youth, in an appropriate way 1 2 3 4 5 q

The criminal justice system does not deal with sexual offences,

including the sexual exploitation of children and youth, in an appropriate way 1 2 3 4 5 q

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Strongly Disagree (1) Disagree (2) Neutral (3) Agree (4) Strongly Agree (5)

Statement: Don’t Know

I understand how the criminal justice system works 1 2 3 4 5 q

What I see in the news on television influences my confidence in the

criminal justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

What I hear on the radio influences my confidence in the criminal

justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

What I read in the newspaper influences my confidence in the

criminal justice system 1 2 3 4 5 q

The criminal justice system does not address Aboriginal justice issues in an

appropriate way 1 2 3 4 5 q

I would have more confidence in the criminal justice system if it focused more

on preventing crime before it occurs 1 2 3 4 5 q

14. What could be done to improve your confidence in the criminal justice system?

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15. Additional comments can be provided in the space below.

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Section 5: Some Information About You

16. Are you answering these questions as: q An individual citizen q A group or organization q A local government q A private company q Other, please explain ____________________________________________________________________________

17. Have you been a victim of crime in the past one year? q Yes q No

18. Are you: q Female q Male

19. How long have you lived in your current community? q Under 1 year q 1-3 years q 4-10 years q Over 10 years

20. What is your age? q 18-24 q 25-44 q 45-64 q 65+

21. Are you a parent with children still living at home? q Yes q No

22. What is the name of your village/town/city?

23. What are the first three digits of your postal code?

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Alberta Justice

Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force

c/o Accurate Data Services Inc.

400, 10621 – 100 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 9Z9

Toll Free: 310-4455

Fax: (780) 421-4502

Website: www.safecommunities.gov.ab.ca

ISBN 0-7785-4166-5 April 2007