Recent acts of violence have rattled people throughout the province and the minister of justice is offering her assurance that government is working on ways to improve the sense of public safety.

Helen Conway Ottenheimer says every resident deserves to feel safe at home and in their community.

She says government recognizes the fear that violence and incidents involving guns create and the impact on the people involved, and the province as a whole.

The minister acknowledges the complexity of the issues involved and says a multi-departmental approach is needed.

Government has already taken measures to hire more police officers, says the minister, with the aim of restoring the province’s active duty police force to its highest levels in ten years.

The department is also reviewing the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act to assess its scope and its effectiveness.

She also acknowledges concerns about criminal activity at so-called “trap houses” and says the review will examine legislative intent, enforcement mechanisms, and how the legislation interacts with other agencies’ responsibilities.

Minister Conway Ottenheimer says it’s hoped that the review will be done as soon as possible, but any conclusions or potential changes will require “proper consideration” to ensure they are based on evidence and are legally sound.