The search continues for the person or persons responsible for a house fire in the city's west flat last month. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Arson cases on the rise in 2020

Nov 27, 2020 | 2:00 PM

It’s been a hot year for crime, according to the most recent crime statistics from the Prince Albert Police Service.

For the time period ending Oct. 31, there were 40 reported arsons in the city, 14 more than the same time in 2019. There were four arsons last month alone. Charlene Tebbutt, spokesperson for the Prince Albert Police Service, told paNOW a large number of the incidents this year are structure fires, but added there’s also been grass fires, vehicle fires, and garbage bin fires. She also explained the incidents are not isolated to one area.

“We’ve had arsons reported in different locations across the city throughout the year,” she said.

The most recent fire consumed a home in the city’s West Flat. The family living there was able to escape harm but lost all their belongings, as well as their two cats. Witnesses described seeing a man near the residence in his 20s wearing a grey bunnyhug. He also may have been wearing a hat. So far no charges have been laid.

A garage and two vehicles were destroyed as a result of a fire May 31 in the 800 block of 17th St. W. (Facebook/ Devin Dubois)

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When investigating the fires, Tebbutt said officers will canvass the neighbourhoods, talk to residents and look for any surveillance camera footage.

“I can tell you we’ve had charges in at least nine of these files,” she said.

Earlier this summer, there were reports of over a dozen fires in a three week time span, all within a 10 block radius. Charges have been laid in connection to fires at six of the properties. The extensive investigation involved patrol members and investigators with the Integrated Crime Reduction Team.

Jared Custer, 23, has not yet entered a plea, and is scheduled to make his next appearance at Prince Albert Provincial Court on Dec. 21.

This house in the 900 block of 18th St. W. was nearly consumed by fire last June. (Facebook/ Prince Albert Fire Dept.)

Moving forward Tebbutt said police are encouraging the public to make sure their properties are properly secure, well lit, and if possible monitored by a security camera. She also encouraged residents to watch out for their neighbours, and to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small the information may be.

“Residents in the area are often keenly aware of what’s going on in their neigbourhood so it’s helpful to let police know about someone you may have seen in that area or you may have seen suspicious activity,” she said.

Busy year for the fire department

In 2019, the Prince Albert Fire Department responded to a total of 70 structure fires. Chief Kris Olsen confirmed for paNOW that as of Nov. 25, the department had already matched that number.

“We are going to have a positive increase in our stats for structure fires this year, I’m sure of it,” he said.

Obviously not all those fires were deemed suspicious. In terms of the actual investigations, the fire department employs two fire investigators who work closely with the police service, and simply determine the cause and origin. Once the fire has been deemed suspicious in nature, the police service takes over.

Olsen explained education and public awareness remain the key tools in fire prevention, and is a full team effort.

“We take it quite seriously, we try to get out to the youth and spread the message of fire prevention,” he said.

In addition to the 70 structure related fires, Olsen said the department has also responded to 19 vehicle fires this year, and 126 wildland/ grass fires.

“They’re not always determined to be arson but we feel a large majority of them are suspicious,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell