Proceeds of Alberta crime going to help Edmonton’s most vulnerable

EDMONTON – A $1.45 million grant from the provincial government will be going towards helping connect Edmonton’s most vulnerable people with the resources they need to become more independent.

The grant, which is being funded through the money made from seized items in Alberta, will be allocated over the next three years to the Edmonton Police Service’s Heavy Users of Services project (HUoS).

“I’m pleased to say that we’re taking money from the bad guys and using it to help prevent crime for the benefit for all Albertans,” said Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

The HUoS project was launched about a year and a half ago. Through partnerships with more than a dozen organizations, it works with Edmonton’s most frequent users of social, medical, criminal and justice services.

“Whether it be the police, Emergency Medical Services, hospitals, shelters or levels of government, we all are dealing with the same vulnerable people who are continuously processed through a cycle of despair,” said Edmonton Police Chief Rod Knecht.

READ MORE: Police join more than dozen social agencies to improve lives of Edmonton’s most vulnerable

There are currently nine vulnerable Edmontonians who use the program. The EPS hopes the new funding will allow them to expand the program to help up to 50 individuals.

“It will assist in providing tangible results in getting Edmonton’s most vulnerable people off the cycle of despair, while allowing us to refocus police resources on those that prey on the mentally ill, the addicted and the homeless,” said Knecht.”And most importantly, increase the number of individuals that the project can assist.”

The EPS will use a portion of the grant to hire a sergeant, two constables and an analyst for the HUoS project.

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