Flowers and toys were left outside a house in March, 2020, following a triple homicide. The man responsible, Nathaniel Carrier, recently entered guilty pleas. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Concerning Rate

Homicides in P.A. see big increase in past three years

Feb 1, 2022 | 1:00 PM

The number of murders in Prince Albert is at a concerning rate.

That’s according to Jonathan Bergen, Chief of the P.A. Police Service who shared the 2021-year end crime statistics at Tuesday’s board of police commissioners public meeting.

Since 2018, there have been 26 homicides. Nine of these happened in 2021, while 2020 saw 11.

The last three years have combined for more murders than the previous 12 which saw a total of 24.

Bergen told paNOW he understands this can be quite alarming for the public.

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“It’s difficult for the community. It has people questioning their personal safety.”

He added all but five homicides have seen charges laid, hoping this is a sign to the public that those who commit these crimes will be caught.

Meanwhile, Bergen said it’s hard to pinpoint any trend or factor causing the increase.

“Definitely, each event is its own tragedy with a number of traumatic circumstances around it.”

One potential cause could be the COVID-19 pandemic.

The majority of the homicides in the past three years have happened after restrictions were first introduced.

“When we look at the violence we’ve responded to in Prince Albert, we recognize we’re not alone in that… it’s occurring in other areas as well.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow