The Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety has announced $3.78 million for Prince Albert policing initiatives. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By paNOW Staff

provincial funding

Government allocates annual funds for Prince Albert policing initiatives

Oct 19, 2021 | 10:16 AM

As in previous years, the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety is providing the Prince Albert Police Service with funding through the Municipal Police Grants program.

This year $3.24 million will help pay for 22 positions in 2021-22.

“Our government understands the importance of investing in public safety,” Prince Albert Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave said on behalf of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell. “This investment will help strengthen the Prince Albert community and provide our policing services with crucial resources.”

Targeted policing initiatives such as the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) will continue with the funding support. PACT is comprised of police officers and mental health workers who provide an integrated and coordinated response to people experiencing mental health crises in the community.

One new member will also be added to the Crime Reduction Team, which gathers intelligence on street gangs and gang associates and the Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) program, which is dedicated to the investigation of child exploitation.

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

18h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

19h ago

Crime

Dangerous driving report at Red Wing, leads to arrest of man with gun

22h ago

“Our community is not unlike other cities around the province that are facing crime including weapons offences, drug and property-related crime,” Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne said. “Municipal Police Grants support a more focused approach to crime trends and targeted enforcement initiatives aimed at proactively addressing illegal activity in our community.”

Saskatchewan Government Insurance is also providing $540,000 for three positions as part of the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan initiative. This brings the total amount of the Prince Albert Police Service Funding Agreement to $3.78 million for 25 police positions in 2021-22.

“As a police service, we continue to work with our partner agencies to identify and target crime trends that affect the safety of those in our community and across our province,” Prince Albert Police Chief Jonathan Bergen said. “Municipal Police Grants enhance our resources and our capacity to address public safety concerns in support of our shared goals and priorities of protecting individuals and families from victimization in partnership.”

The Ministry of Corrections and Policing provides funds to police services across Saskatchewan through the Municipal Police Grants program to support 133 municipal police positions and targeted policing initiatives.

—

panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertNOW