Alberta NDP proposes 3-part plan over custody releases in Edmonton’s Chinatown
The provincial government says it is already taking steps to better connect people leaving custody with housing and other supports.
The Alberta NDP has put forth a three-part plan to address concerns about detainees and offenders being released in Edmonton's Chinatown. Surveillance footage has shown police and corrections officers dropping off recently released individuals in and around the Chinatown area. This has raised safety concerns for community members, many of whom have strong ties to the area due to their heritage.
The NDP's plan includes an immediate end to detainee releases in Chinatown unless proper services are in place, expanded reintegration support for those leaving remand custody, and mandatory reintegration plans for high-risk and vulnerable individuals before release. The party's public safety critic, David Shepherd, emphasized that the issue is not new and has worsened over time.
The NDP's press secretary, Arthur Green, stated that the government has met with community members and service providers and is taking action, including relocating the Edmonton Remand Centre and implementing dedicated system navigators in correctional facilities. Green also criticized the NDP's previous record, accusing them of "fearmongering" about disorder during their time in power.
The government has invested over $30 million in adding treatment, housing, and stabilization beds in the Edmonton area, with the Navigation and Support Centre in Chinatown helping over 12,000 Albertans access supports and connect with services. Business leaders, such as entrepreneur Wilson Wong, urged the province to partner with the community for the economic and cultural revitalization of Chinatown.
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