Pubdate: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2007 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Darren Bernhardt, The StarPhoenix GOV'T DIRECTS FUNDS TOWARD GANG, DRUG STRATEGIES Funding, New Officers For Child Exploitation Units In Saskatoon, Regina, P.A. More police, a crackdown on gangs and child sexual predators and a score of courthouse projects form a large chunk of the provincial government's spending in 2007-08 to create safe communities. But the budget announced Thursday by Finance Minister Andrew Thomson is cryptic when it comes to specific details about the projects and how the money will be spread around. It left potential beneficiaries wondering about their share of the pie. Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill and RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Brad Kaeding were reluctant to comment until they get more clarity. "We're happy anytime there's more funding for police or policing issues but until we find out more there's not much we can say," Saskatoon Police Service spokesperson Alyson Edwards said. There is $246 million allocated for Justice and $142.6 million for Corrections and Public Safety in the province's $8.3 billion budget. The capital portion of the provincial budget is $534.8 million, of which Justice's share is $4.4 million while Corrections and Public Safety receives $28 million. That is a combined increase of 61 per cent over 2006-07. Justice Department spokesperson Deb McEwan said much of the spending is for multi-year projects previously announced, such as courthouse restoration (November 2006), the gang strategy (November 2005) and recommendations of the First Nations and Metis Peoples and Justice Reform Commission report of 2004. An investment of $1.6 million will increase the number of officers assigned to gang and drug strategies. Nine RCMP officers will be added, including three criminal intelligence analysts, along with two Crown prosecutors devoted to those crimes. Corrections and Public Safety is also receiving money for its role in the gang strategy. A total of $1.6 million and 16.5 new full-time equivalent positions will go toward better supervision of high-risk offenders in the community. A further $486,000 will fund a new supportive employment training program to help offenders reintegrate into the community upon release from jail. New child sexual exploitation units will be created with the province dedicating $1.3 million for two additional city police officers in both Regina and Saskatoon and one in Prince Albert. The funding also covers an increase in resources directly related to the arrest and prosecution of child sexual offenders. The Department of Community Resources will receive $2.1 million to expand outreach and treatment spaces for sexually exploited children. It is estimated there are approximately 400 sexually exploited children and youth in the province, according to the budget document. Among the capital projects addressed in the budget is $2.7 million worth of improved security at Saskatchewan's courthouses, including airport-style, walk-through metal detectors in Saskatoon, Regina and Prince Albert. There is $500,000 for the planning of courthouse renovations in Saskatoon A number of renovations will be undertaken in court facilities across the province to create additional space. Justice and Corrections will each receive $112,000 for the Justice Enterprise Information Network (JEIN), a computer database system used to track court decisions, fines and other information critical to the operation of the justice system. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek