A PAPS car at a crime scene earlier this year. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

police presence

Group wants more police officers in Prince Albert

Sep 6, 2022 | 4:16 PM

A crime focus group in Prince Albert is requesting the province to add 10 police officers in the city within three years.

The group, led by Coun. Blake Edwards, says growing crime rates are pushing the Prince Albert Police Force into a reactive role instead of a proactive one and something needs to change.

“This is what the people are looking for, we’re looking for some action to take against the drug dealers and the gangs that are fueling drug addictions in the city,” Edwards said.

In April of this year, Edwards began advocating for increased efforts to combat crime in an era of increased crystal meth use that has reached across Saskatchewan.

Edwards said the group needed to include all stakeholders from the city to other governments including area First Nations, MLAs and members of Parliament.

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Several months later, they are asking for more resources for local law enforcement, who have already needed to call outside agencies into help with investigations.

In June of this year, RCMP, Saskatoon and Regina Police were all called to the aide of PAPS members after two back-to-back homicides and an 11 per cent increase in calls for service between May 26 and June 11.

PAPS has 104 officers in total but responded to over 1,200 calls in that two-week span.

“We’re looking at additional units to come in and help address and focus on the drugs and gangs that are negatively impacting our city,” Edwards said.

The group has drafted this letter asking for more officers.

Group members spoke with business owners and other organizations before coming up with their request, which Edwards will present at this evening’s council meeting.

“I think it’s got to the point where we need to deal with it before it does get worse. I think people want to feel safe in the city and therefore we need to take action and get some additional resources,” Edwards said.

While the issue of crime and the fact it includes a growing amount of violence is not isolated to Prince Albert, he says their job is to deal with how it impacts residents and visitors here.

The letter is addressed to Premier Scott Moe, Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Christine Tell and both local MLAs, Joe Hargrave and Alana Ross.

Hargrave has responded and will meet with the group tomorrow to discuss. He said the premier is aware of the group and read the letter.

“We need to get them in a room and discuss this with everybody and hopefully that happens within the upcoming weeks,” Edwards said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.ca