Prince Albert Police Chief Jon Bergen responds to questions about community safety during Monday's Board of Police Commissioners meeting. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime stats

Robberies in Prince Albert on the rise

Jan 13, 2020 | 5:22 PM

For 2019, the Prince Albert Police Service observed a 24.7 per cent increase in reported robberies when compared to 2018 numbers.

That was one of the statistics relayed to the Board of Police Commissioners during its meeting Monday morning at city hall. Police Chief Jon Bergen explained 19 per cent of the 121 reported robberies took place at commercial locations, and 22 per cent in private homes or on private property.

“The other ones are pretty much street robberies where someone is taking property from an individual through intimation or physical confrontation,” he said.

Forty-six incidents happened during the day shift with 75 during the night shift. Knives were the commonly used weapon (38 incidents), followed by physical force (30), and firearms (21).

Ward 6 Councilor Blake Edwards said he is very concerned about the “nuisance” properties in his neighbourhood, and the activity happening at some apartment buildings. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

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Ward 6 Councilor Blake Edwards attended and shared concerns he has with a specific apartment building in his area which is located at Sherman Drive and 28th St.E. He said the building has constant visitors with repeated issues there and people (non-residents) seen coming and going, and repeated issues with broken locks on doors in regular need of repair.

“We need some help, some assistance of some sort, or some pressure,” he said.

Bergen confirmed police worked regularly with the apartment owners and added they will continue to do so in the future.

Mayor Greg Dionne discussed a recent conversation he had with Walmart management regarding panhandlers harassing store patrons using shopping carts. Because the store charges a loonie to use a cart, Dionne said it’s led to an increased risk of people being asked for the coin or even robbery. He said in his discussions with management, members said they will consider removing the dollar charge.

Dionne said he recently noticed two security guards walking the parking lot.

Does the public have a reason to worry?

The city’s most recent armed robbery remains under investigation, and police are actively searching for two suspects. Police have not confirmed if the incident was random or isolated. Bergen was asked by paNOW how police might respond to public concerns about safety.

“I think it’s always important to be aware of your surroundings and plan ahead so that’s not just when you are driving somewhere, but it’s also when you are travelling somewhere on foot,” he said.

Parkland Ambulance confirmed one male was taken to hospital Friday night with non-life threatening injuries. He was observed conscious when paramedics arrived, but required assistance in getting into the ambulance. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Bergen confirmed Friday night’s incident remains in the early investigation stage, adding police are asking home owners in the area who may have video cameras to review it.

Dionne echoed Bergen, adding he makes it a personal practice to walk in well-lit areas.

“I haven’t had an incident in this city or any other city because I really practice knowing your surroundings and in our city I walk everywhere,” he said.

While the numbers concern him, Dionne said it seems to be a similar trend in other communities. He noted some of his friends have considered moving from Saskatoon due to an increase in violent crimes in that community.

“I think that’s why you see those communities like Warman and Martensville flourish because people are leaving the cities for that reason. Unfortunately the city attracts those undesirables and there’s nothing you can do about it but work [at] it. I am very pleased with the pro-active stance our police department has taken,” he said.

A news conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning at which time the police chief will discuss the 2019 crime statistics in greater detail.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell