Darryl Hickie held a media event along the riverbank Tuesday morning (Submitted photo/ Darryl Hickie)

By Ian Gustafson

Crime and politics

Darryl Hickie announces Public Safety Platform

Oct 13, 2020 | 4:48 PM

Mayoral candidate Darryl Hickie announced his Public Safety Platform Tuesday morning along the riverbank in Prince Albert, highlighting his promise of additional police officers, a gangs and guns unit, and putting in place a Mayoral Advisory Council.

Following the event Hickie told paNOW he held it at the riverbank because he has had seniors and families tell him they no longer feel safe enough at that location due to the ongoing crime in the city.

Mayoral Advisory Council

As part of his campaign Hickie, a former President of the P.A. Police Association, has already announced if elected he will create a Mayoral Advisory Council with representation from the Prince Albert Grand Council, the YWCA, mental health and addictions professionals and physicians who specialize in addictions.

“These people all work in the frontline and have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share,” Hickie said. “And they will be partners, they will not be people or groups that will be spoken to by the mayor. They will be partners and we’ll be looking to them for solutions that will shape our future.”

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He added this will not be a short-term commitment but a long term one for those on the council.

Hickie explained with his background in policing and from what the city has seen the last two years in crime, he will take on the chair of the Board of Police Commissioners in the interim until the city sees a reduction of crime.

“We ranked very high in Macleans Magazine survey year after year for one of the most violent crime-filled cities in the country and sadly that’s not going to change from this next ranking in November,” he said.

Gangs and Guns Unit

Hickie wants to bring a Gangs and Guns Unit to Prince Albert to not just bring down violent crime and gang involvement but to be proactive and go after them through overt and covert techniques, as he put it.

“We’re a small city with big city problems and I’ve advocated for that for the last number of years and it has never taken place but it will under my leadership if elected on Nov. 9,” Hickie said.

He explained if elected mayor, and as chair of the Board of Police Commissioners, the services administration budget will be reduced to make room to two additional officers. Although he said how the police chooses to fund those officers will be up to the police chief.

He added the City of P.A. will also hire four more officers for a total of six to make up the new gangs and guns unit. He said to fund these officers they have provincial revenue sharing dollars they can utilize as well as the efficiency audit. He suggested certain budget elements like road paving may need to be reduced to pay for the extra officers, such was the priority on tackling the escalating crime.

Hickie added he would also ask seniors to be part of a Seniors Advisory Committee to assist with and advise on police needs.

Hickie takes aim at Dionne

Hickie also took a shot at the incumbent mayor saying Greg Dionne hasn’t been vocal or active enough in tackling crime in Prince Albert, citing the the Board of Police Commissioners decision against giving the police any additional resources as one reason to prove that.

“We have seen an increase in our violent crime and murders and attempted murders in Prince Albert along with guns and drugs seizures. He [Dionne] seems to be very dedicated to staying at the office or at home and doesn’t talk about this. It’s too bad because the mayor has to be the one who leads the group discussion, brings people together to find a new solution and if it takes money you’re going to direct budget talks as well.”

I really think he and his last 2021 budget priorities committee hasn’t even put public safety as his number one list, it isn’t even on his list of three things. So that concerns me as a leader for our city moving forward.”

Dionne responds

Speaking on Tuesday afternoon Dionne responded to Hickie’s comments telling paNOW the Board of Police Commissioners had a meeting in the morning and the chair of the board Sheryl Kimbley would be releasing a statement about where they stand. Later on Tuesday the police board announced in a statement, their ‘response to current challenges on violence and crime in our community.’ A media conference was called for Wednesday.

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With files from Glenn Hicks

Ian.gustafson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow