Alta. crime money goes to rural shelters

For the first time in Alberta crime pays. And victims and anti-crime groups hope it keeps paying.

A fund created from the forfeiture and sale of criminal property is now being used to fund victims groups and crime prevention programs.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Alison Redford announced Tuesday the first $150,000 of that fund will go to help battered women in rural Alberta.

The money will go to womens shelters to train staff, upgrade security and transportation for victims.

"Women in rural settings need to get to shelter and often don't have access to a vehicle," said Carolyn Goard with Alberta Council of Women's Shelters. "They also need to get to all of the necessary medical, court and counselling appointments that aid in their healing and help build safer futures."

The Victims Restitution and Compensation Payment Act was introduced in 2008. Through the Civil Forfeiture Office, property gained through criminal acts is seized and if the court action is successful, the property is forfeited to the province.

Since the establishment of the Civil Forfeiture Office, $19.1 million in property and cash tied to criminal activity has been seized, including vehicles used in drug dealing and homes used for marijuana grow operations.

Redford said more funding announcements will be made over the next two to three months.