By Nigel Maxwell

Lakeland break-ins prompt calls for RCMP detachment

Sep 29, 2016 | 12:00 PM

Homeowners in the Emma Lake area are asked to be extra vigilant after a string of break-ins in the area, prompting locals to renew their calls for an RCMP detachment in the community.

A total of five homes were broken into Tuesday morning, and over $10,000 in property stolen. Police were able to recover the property, including two ATVs, but there have been no arrests.

Cheryl Bauer-Hyde, reeve for the Rural Municipality of Lakeland, said residents are more vulnerable this time of year.

“We’re going into the fall season when many of our residents are not here full time,” she said.

Bauer-Hyde said some residents have security systems but she added it’s important people remember to keep things locked up and not to leave keys in their vehicles.

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Spare cash, electronics, alcohol and the odd canoe are among the items stolen according to Bauer-Hyde.

The recent break-ins may be part of a larger problem.

The reeve said the R.M. has pushed for years for an RCMP detachment in the area.

“Certainly the number of RCMP vehicles in the area is not as prevalent as we’d like to see,” she said

There used to be a detachment in Sunset Bay but it has been closed for over three decades.

“Our district is adjacent to the Village of Christopher Lake and the R.M. of Paddockwood so we have a fair amount of residents and businesses in the area. Certainly having an RCMP presence would be great but there are costs and issues related to that,” she said.

The District of Lakeland is currently served by the RCMP in Prince Albert and Waskesiu.

“We have raised (our concerns) with the senior level of the RCMP so we will continue those discussions,” Bauer-Hyde said.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twiter: @nigelmaxwell