Mission Statement

To provide effective and sustainable crime prevention strategies which are community based and partnership driven.  

Our Guiding Principle

Albertans have the right live peacefully in their communities free of criminal interference.  

Our History:

The Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association (ACCPA) represents individuals and organizations interested in preventing and reducing crime in Alberta communities.

Originally founded in 1989 as the Alberta Community Police Advisory Committee by provincial police services as a means to discuss mutual crime problems, the association came to life as ACCPA in 1990 to provide a link between police services and the community at large. Over time, the organization began to recruit community, business, and government members in the realization that crime prevention involved more than just the work of police. Today, the Board of Directors is comprised of members from all sectors including police, community, and business. Our membership also reflects this diversity.

Historically, ACCPA had focussed on methods of crime prevention that make it more difficult to commit a crime. These methods include enhancing security through target hardening and design principles, supporting community watch and patrol programs, and raising awareness about individual safety. Collectively, these methods are known as situational crime prevention.

More recently, an area of crime prevention that has become increasingly important to the growth of ACCPA is Crime Prevention Through Social Development (CPSD). Communities using the CPSD model address root causes of crime such as youth alienation, illiteracy, poverty, and abuse, and try to intervene earlier in childhood development to prevent future criminal and antisocial behaviour. Incorporating CPSD as part of a balanced approach to crime prevention has provided a diversified membership base that includes members who have an interest in both situational and social development approaches to crime prevention.

Our Goals:

• To provide public education and awareness of community-based crime prevention strategies.
• To act as a clearinghouse for information regarding community wellness and crime prevention.
• To demonstrate that all Albertans should play a role in crime prevention.
• To promote partnerships and information sharing throughout Alberta.

Our Method:

• We co-sponsor Crime Prevention Week with Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security.
• We host an annual crime prevention conference and hold bimonthly general membership meetings to share crime prevention information and successes.
• We publish and distribute a quarterly newsletter and maintain a web site (www.accpa.org) where information, about activities, events, and crime prevention resources are provided.
• We advise communities and governments on trends, strategies and priorities of crime prevention.

Benefits of Joining:

As a member of ACCPA, you will receive our newsletter and will be notified of crime prevention meetings and events that might be of interest to you. You can use the association as a means of networking with your peers to access information about crime prevention. Members are also eligible for discounted rates at ACCPA events such as the annual conference. If you are interested in joining, please visit our membership page and register on-line, call us toll free at 1 (877) 432-6400, or send an e-mail to info@accpa.org.

ACCPA would like to acknowledge the on-going funding and support of the Alberta Solicitor General.