NET hosts Hard Talk Panel on Rape Culture

April 7 through 11 marks the 2014 Sexual Exploitation Week of Awareness in Edmonton. This year’s theme is Taking Action #YEGsecret Exposed!. As part of the event, Downtown Police Division’s Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET) is hosting a Hard Talk Panel on Rape Culture.

"NET is in the business of inviting folks to think about crime and safety from a community perspective," says Alec Stratford, NET social worker. "Tonight's event does just that; it asks all of us to reflect on sexual violence and exploitation from a broader perspective."

The panel brings together experts from the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton, the University of Alberta, Edmonton Multicultural Health Brokers, Edmonton Police Service and a local media outlet. Panel discussion will focus on how community can take action against sexual exploitation and the process by which rape culture is excused, normalized, and even encouraged by pervasive attitudes, norms, practices and media.

"Sexual Assault has an extremely negative effect on the community of Edmonton as a whole," says Staff Sergeant Shawna Grimes from Edmonton Police Service’s Sexual Assault Section. "It takes the involvement of the community to bring about better awareness and education around this violent crime."

The sold out event, being held at the Santa Maria Goretti Community Centre (11050-90 Street) between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. this evening, will be webcast at www.dlsfilm.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Lisa Kaye-Stanisky, Communications Advisor

Corporate Communications Branch

Edmonton Police Service

Office: 780-391-6153

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Rush-hour commuters being re-routed near Manning Drive and 167 Avenue, following serious collision

Rush hour commuters are being encouraged to avoid the area near 167 Avenue and Manning Drive in northeast Edmonton this evening, following a serious collision at approximately 4 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Although the investigation is preliminary at this time, it was reported to police that a charter bus struck a Volkswagen Beetle from behind at the intersection of Manning Drive and 167 Avenue, while the vehicle was waiting at a stop light.



A seven-year-old female passenger was treated by paramedics on scene and rushed to hospital with critical injuries.



Police have now closed northbound and southbound traffic on Manning Drive. Motorists travelling northbound on Manning Drive are being re-routed at 153 Avenue. Motorists travelling southbound are being re-routed onto 167 Avenue.



The detours will remain in effect until further notice to allow police to complete their investigation.



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Police release surveillance photos in an effort to locate suspects responsible for vicious assault on March 22

The Edmonton Police Service is appealing to the public to assist in the identification of two males captured on surveillance video from a nearby gas station, who are persons of interest in the ongoing investigation into the vicious assault of a 41-year-old man back on March 22, 2014.

Investigators have been examining surveillance video (see photos below) from businesses nearby where the random assault occurred, around 104 and 105 Street at 51 Avenue, at approximately 1:15 a.m. on that Saturday morning.



The complainant, who is alleged to have been randomly assaulted in a parking lot outside of a medical centre, regained consciousness late last week in hospital, where he remains, after suffering serious brain injuries.



Investigators are encouraging anyone that is able to identify the two males in the surveillance video image to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

Background:

It was reported that the 41-year-old male victim was waiting outside of the medical centre for a friend, when he was approached by several males and randomly beaten. The victim sustained multiple head injuries, and was rushed to hospital by EMS paramedics, where he remains unconscious and in a medically induced coma.



Investigators continue to examine video surveillance in the area, which shows five intoxicated male suspects walking westbound along 51 Avenue by a nightclub near 103 Street. Three of the male suspects left the group and then travelled south and into the parking lot where the alleged aggravated assault occurred.



Police believe the suspects may have also attended a nearby fast food restaurant near 51Avenue and 104 Street at around 1 a.m., prior to the assault.

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Missing male found safe

The Edmonton Police Service has located the missing 50-year-old male who was missing since Saturday, Apr. 5, 2014.

The man was found safe and unharmed today, Monday, April 07, 2014.

Thank you for your concern and assistance.

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Kiwanis ‘Top Cop’ Award Ceremony

All media are invited to join Acting Chief Brian Simpson and Hazel Gillis, President, Kiwanis Club of Edmonton – Oil Capital, as they present the 2013 Kiwanis ‘Top Cop’ Award to Detective Hajinder (Harry) Grewal.

Kiwanis ‘Top Cop’ Award Ceremony
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 @ 10 a.m.
Edmonton Police Service Headquarters

2^nd Floor Atrium, 9620-103A Avenue

Marking the award’s 38 year history, the Kiwanis Club of Edmonton - Oil Capital, remain committed to searching for and celebrating an outstanding Edmonton Police Service officer in recognition of their volunteer contributions. This year, the Kiwanis Club selected Detective Harry Grewal as ‘Top Cop’ for contributing countless hours to organizations like the Edmonton and District Soccer Association.

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Owners of neighbourhood licenced establishment facing drug charges

A three-month EPS investigation into alleged drug trafficking has culminated in the arrest of two owners of a south side neighbourhood licensed establishment.

Members from Southwest Division executed a search warrant Wednesday, March 26, at a licensed establishment near 95 Avenue and 87 Street, following allegations of drug trafficking surfaced in late 2013. Investigators seized a quantity of marijuana and cocaine on the premises during the search.



Bassam Monsef, 61, is charged with trafficking cocaine(x3), possession for the purpose of trafficking (x2), possession of a controlled substance and living off the proceeds of crimes (x4)



Antoine Khalil Mounsef, 54, is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of a controlled substance.



The extensive investigation and subsequent arrests were, in part, a result of the high degree of team work demonstrated by members from Southwest and Southeast divisions and ALERT’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.

The EPS Public Safety Compliance Team will be conducting follow-up investigations surrounding the arrests. The PSCT is comprised of EPS members and partners from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and the City of Edmonton Bylaws and Licences.

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Shred it . . . don't toss it

In support of Fraud Prevention Month, the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA), the Edmonton Police Service, and Servus Credit Union will host an electronic shredding event.

Friday, March 28, 2014; 10 am – 2 pm

Servus Credit Union

Ellerslie Crossing Branch

1004 Ellwood Road SW, Edmonton Alberta

Edmontonians can bring old desktops, laptops or tablets. ERA staff will remove hard drives and shred them on-site.

“People can also donate cell phones, monitors, printers and other electronics for reuse or recycling,” notes Constable Nadine Swist, of the EPS Economic Crimes Section.

Everyone who brings old computers and devices to the event will be entered to win one of two Kobo Touch E-readers courtesy of Servus Credit Union.

The EPS will have a patrol car on display at the event.

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