Edmonton/Calgary… Survivors of human trafficking now have new access to supports and community resources through the addition of new Safety Network Coordinators, embedded within ALERT Human Trafficking units.
Safety Network Coordinators have been added to ALERT’s Human Trafficking units in Edmonton and Calgary, courtesy of a collaborative undertaking by the Safer Way Out initiative, #NotInMyCity, and Calgary Police Service.
The new civilian positions are focused on building relationships and trust-supporting with the victims. Safety Network Coordinators are dedicated to providing support for human trafficking survivors by removing barriers towards exiting the sex industry, safety planning, and facilitating access to community support services.
Survivors are oftentimes identified through ALERT criminal investigations against their perpetrators, however, traditionally the victims lacked the vital link to support services. These new positions provide a compassionate and fulsome response to survivor supports.
The initiative has been underway in Edmonton since April 2021, with the Calgary position only recently hired. Through the initiative’s first six months, 17 exploited individuals have been helped with accessing safe places to stay, mental health resources, court assistance, and emotional support.
In one instance, ALERT was contacted after a sex industry worker was violently assaulted and was admitted to hospital. The Safety Network Coordinator provided short-term safety planning, along with other resources to support the survivor’s decision to leave the sex industry all together.
Survivors of sex trafficking can call 211 for help. To report suspected human trafficking, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.
ALERT’s Human Trafficking Counter Exploitation unit investigates human trafficking involving sexual exploitation occurring in Alberta. The integrated unit also works in collaboration with agencies and organizations involved in rescuing and supporting survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
Safer Way Out is a collaborative project by REACH Edmonton, Center to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE), Catholic Social Services, and ALERT.
#NotInMyCity is a facilitative organization launched by Paul Brandt that is raising awareness and taking collective action to prevent, disrupt and end sexual exploitation and trafficking, focusing on children and youth. The #NotInMyCity movement is working in alliance with key stakeholders, creating awareness, educating others and mobilizing a strategic, integrated plan to bring about transformational and sustainable change at all levels.
Quotes
“Together, with our partner agencies, we share a common goal of providing the best possible supports to survivors of human trafficking. This innovative approach promotes the integration of existing support services, which not only ensures a continuum of care for survivors, but allows ALERT investigators to remain steadfast in targeting perpetrators.”
– Supt. Dwyane Lakusta, CEO, ALERT
“We are pleased to be part of strengthening community and law enforcement capacity to respond more quickly to the immediate safety needs of those who are in sex trafficking situations. We are confident that these initiatives can build on the safety supports that already exist, identify more that are needed, and work together to expand a network of services in Alberta.”
– Kate Quinn, Executive Director, CEASE
“We are pleased to be part of this important initiative. The Safety Network Coordinator positions are providing critical care and services in the moment, helping survivors of sexual exploitation and trafficking feel safe and supported.”
– Paul Brandt, Founder, #NotInMyCity
“Our investigators see firsthand the impact human trafficking can have on victims. The Calgary Police Service is proud to support the addition of Safety Network Coordinators as intrinsic partners in our investigations. It is essential that survivors are supported through these complex investigations.”
– Insp. Jason Bobrowich, Calgary Police Service
The work we do is about our communities, and that’s why we recognize that residents can be instrumental in tackling serious crime. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a crime, or you suspect criminal activity, please reach out. Your information will remain strictly confidential.
Thank you for helping to make Alberta safer by being actively involved and reporting suspicious activity.
Since 2022, CISA has been guided by four pillars that focus the effort to promote an integrated, intelligence-led approach to combating organized crime; these are:
Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta (CISA) has recently developed an Alberta Firearms Intelligence Centre (AFIC) to equitably expand access to firearms intelligence for all law enforcement agencies within Alberta. AFIC will provide timely, accurate, and actionable intelligence to law enforcement agencies and policy-makers to achieve the shared and collaborative goals of increasing public safety concerning firearm-related crimes.
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
FILE INTAKES
680
872
1,149
1,114
3,815
2,994
2,764
SUSPECTS CHARGED
22
16
34
37
109
81
125
CHARGES LAID
87
45
123
160
415
351
413
CHILDREN RESCUED
26
78
56
43
203
46
100
EXHIBITS SEIZED
335
368
545
476
1,724
1,243
1,845
TOTAL PHOTOS/VIDEOS
262,400
511,133
1,374,310
606,254
2,754,097
2,551,921
13,260,819
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
SUSPECTS CHARGED
13
10
7
4
34
30
76
CHARGES LAID
79
46
87
19
231
96
157
VICTIM INTERVENTIONS
30
29
17
37
113
28
22
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
INTELLIGENCE REPORTS
409
296
327
442
1,474
1,560
1,318
TRAINING COURSES
5
3
8
11
27
36
25
CANDIDATES TRAINED
321
56
135
350
862
933
638
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
SUSPECTS CHARGED
40
27
42
32
141
197
168
CHARGES LAID
176
156
237
231
800
1,088
820
FIREARMS SEIZED
105
53
26
48
232
102
126
EST. VALUE OF DRUGS SEIZED
$906,814
$553,851
$2,725,161
$1,148,337
$5,334,163
$10,898,269
$334,093,020
PROCEEDS OF CRIME SEIZED
$218,133
$52,970
$130,996
$230,195
$632,294
$1,432,847
$21,740,617
ARRESTS
CHARGES
FIREARMS
DRUGS
PROCEEDS
CALGARY
24
110
14
$937,422
$65,881
EDMONTON
17
131
45
$592,839
$272,446
FORT MCMURRAY
8
78
4
$352,942
$144,301
GRANDE PRAIRIE
7
17
13
$192,145
$31,855
LETHBRIDGE
7
29
44
$349,773
$51,245
LLOYDMINSTER
24
93
41
$164,134
$12,504
MEDICINE HAT
37
179
13
$293,108
$7,861
RED DEER
17
163
58
$2,451,800
$46,201
TOTALS
141
800
232
$5,334,163
$632,294
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
SUSPECTS CHARGED
1
–
1
–
2
1
10
CHARGES LAID
–
–
–
–
–
11
47
STOLEN VEHICLES
23
15
1
6
45
245
118
RECOVERED ASSETS
$1,432,000
$941,025
$108,000
$260,000
$2,741025
$8,420,500
$3,919,500
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2023-24
2022-23
2021-22
FIREARMS EXAMINATIONS
349
351
243
235
1,178
–
–
EXHIBIT EXAMINATIONS
1,316
1,409
891
1,099
4,715
–
–
SERIAL NUMBER RESTORATIONS
31
34
19
24
108
–
–
IBIS SUBMISSIONS
343
421
1,334
304
2,402
–
–
GUN SEIZURES
–
–
1
14
15
–
–
SUSPECTS CHARGED
–
–
4
22
26
–
–
CHARGES LAID
–
–
41
144
185
–
–
Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) involves images and/or videos that depict the sexual abuse of minors – the majority of which involve prepubescent children. Often, CSAM involves explicit and/or extreme sexual assaults against the child victim (Cybertip.ca).
Learn more about Internet Child Exploitation and ALERT’s integrated teams combatting this issue.
Ghost Guns are illegal, privately manufactured firearms or lower receivers. These weapons are often made with 3D-printers, and undermine public safety due to their lack of licensing requirements, serialization and safety controls.
Learn more about Ghost Guns on ALERT’s dedicated Privately Manufactured Firearms info page
