A bylaw offence in P.A.'s downtown led Prince Albert's new Community Policing Unit to arrest a 28-year-old man.(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Ronald Quaroni

Bylaw Stop

Bicycle bylaw infraction leads to arrest for new policing unit

Oct 1, 2019 | 12:45 PM

The Prince Albert Police Service’s (PAPS) new Community Policing Unit is proving to have both bark and bite.

On Monday around 3 p.m., an officer on patrol noticed a man riding a bike on the sidewalk, a bylaw infraction according to Section 24 (a) of the City’s Traffic Bylaw, which bans bicycle usage on sidewalks.

The man was stopped and after further investigation it was learned the 28-year-old had outstanding criminal warrants and he was arrested. The suspect’s bicycle also turned out to be stolen from the La Ronge area in July.

Sgt. Travis Willie with the Prince Albert Police Service said it’s a nice indication that the fledgling unit is proving to be effective in day-to-day police work and a visual element in the busy sections of the city.

“We’re only going into the third week of the Community Policing Unit and I’m hoping that the public does see these officers out and about because it’s going to be a regular occurrence,” Willie told paNOW. “I think this is a great step in the right direction, people are going to continue to get to know these officers.”

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He hopes for continued engagement between officers and all members of the public. Willie indicated that the new unit is also actively working in schools getting to know kids and building positive relationships.

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni