By Taylor MacPherson

RCMP to permanently expand Crime Reduction Team initiative in Sask.

Jun 15, 2018 | 5:00 PM

The Saskatchewan RCMP are receiving $1.6 million from the Ministry of Corrections and Policing to permanently expand their Crime Reduction Team initiative.

The team was first piloted in early February, the RCMP said, and has so far executed 193 arrest warrants resulting in 384 Criminal Code charges, including against a number of known gang members. According to Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Curtis Zablocki, the team’s success has not gone unnoticed.

“We have heard directly from our detachments and communities the value of the Crime Reduction Team,” Zablocki said in a statement. “Their efforts have yielded results, taking drugs, firearms and criminals off the streets of our Saskatchewan communities.”

The new funding will be used for 14 full-time members; 10 police officers and four support staff. According to the RCMP, one team will operate out of Prince Albert and another, North Battleford.

The team’s mandate will include targeted enforcement in areas selected based on analysis of crime trends, consultations with community leaders, and intelligence gathering, the RCMP said. This could include tracking of chronic offenders, executing arrest warrants, and high-visibility patrolling.

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“We’re happy to support the establishment of these two permanent teams,” Corrections and Policing Minister Christine Tell said in a statement. “We look forward to seeing the positive impacts this program will have in Saskatchewan’s rural communities.”

Rural Crime Watch President Elaine McMillan, who founded the organization in the Christopher Lake area in response to a high rate of petty crime, theft, and vandalism, said she’s all in favour of the decision to fund the Crime Reduction Team.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic,” McMillan told paNOW. “I still feel the RCMP are undermanned and could still use more help and more funding for these areas, but I think it’s a good start.”

McMillan said she’s noticed a recent increase in the visible police presence in her area, which is welcomed by all residents and cabin owners.

“We’ve noticed more [police] cars on the road and more cars in the neighbourhoods,” she said. “It’s good to see them showing their colours out there.”

taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TaylorMacP