(File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Provincial Crime Initiatives

Government of Saskatchewan combatting crime with new policing initiatives

Oct 28, 2021 | 4:13 PM

Several communities across Saskatchewan are receiving support from the provincial government to help with crime reduction initiatives and improve public safety.

On Wednesday, the Government of Saskatchewan began a new session of legislature which featured an announcement that there would be more action taken to address crime, specifically in rural areas.

The province is working to reduce the strain on local detachments by increasing the presence of police in certain communities and adding several new departments to enforcement teams.

Meadow Lake, La Ronge, Lloydminster and Moose Jaw will each receive a new Crime Reduction Team in their respective communities. Including the number of pre-existing teams in the province, there will be nine of these teams in operation.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Meadow Lake Mayor Merlin Seymour said the announcement is welcomed by the community as more assistance with local enforcement has been desired for a significant amount of time.

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“I’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Premier Moe and the Province of Saskatchewan for the significant new public safety funding and initiatives announced in yesterday’s Speech from the Throne,” he said.

“We have been advocating for more resources for our RCMP detachment, and yesterday’s announcement shows that our provincial counterparts have been listening.”

The announcement comes at a time where some communities are facing detrimental staffing challenges.

La Ronge Mayor Colin Ratushniak explained his community’s local detachment has been noticeably affected by this issue, which has resulted in local police having a less effective approach to incidents in the town.

“RCMP are so overwhelmed they’re not able to do a lot of the tasking for proactive policing, rather than the reactive policing that typically is heard about in media,” he said.

“It’s really nice to hear that the province is listening. We need those extra members here in different capacities.”

Ratushniak believes the community’s progress and accomplishments are overshadowed by crime-related news stories, adding the increased police presence will likely be a solution that can help the town be represented more accurately.

The government’s commitment to reducing crime included adding 60 new police positions while also creating a Provincial Protective Services Unit, Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team, Warrant and Enforcement Suppression Team.

Enacting The Trespass to Property Act in the new year and amendments to The Seizure of Criminal Property Act will combat laundering and increase penalties for repeat trespassing offenders while making it easier for land owners to seek damages.

Meadow Lake RCMP Commander Ryan How stated strategically placed crime reduction units have been highly effective and have resulted in several arrests and weapons seizures in a short period of time.

He said the increased police presence with specific initiatives in the community will improve the efficiency of local enforcement and facilitate proactive measures.

“As the Lieutenant Governor said in the throne speech, the deterrent isn’t in the penalty or the consequence, it’s in knowing you will be caught doing the crime,” he said.

“Spreading the workload from the detachment will allow members to generate intelligence, get ahead of offenders and allow police to be on the street free and able to respond or be placed strategically rather than simply running from call to call to call.”

The Government of Saskatchewan announced it will also create 150 new addiction treatment spaces over the next three years.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp