Humpty Dumpty daycare is one of multiple child care facilities in Prince Albert reviewing safety protocols. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Prince Albert day care operators respond to knife incident

Apr 5, 2024 | 5:01 PM

In response to a knife related incident this week near a Prince Albert child care center, local operators across the city are confirming plans to review and even upgrade existing security.

Danielle Werchuk, co-executive director of Children’s Choice, said hearing the news of a man with a knife, moving in the direction of a midtown area facility, was alarming.

“We’ve had two incidents in our centers last summer, where we put ourselves on lockdown,” she said. “So it does make you look at different security needs in our buildings.”

When asked to elaborate, Werchuk said there was no direct threat to either centre involved, just a visible police presence that was in the area. Going forward she confirmed discussions with respect to upgrading security systems and also possibly introducing a key fob entry.

“And just for that extra security and peace of mind for parents and staff and the safety of the children,” she said.

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The man involved in Tuesday’s incident was arrested at the scene by police and was described in a statement as having a “mental health crisis.” Nobody was physically hurt but a social media posted indicated the man had blood on his shirt and was waving the knife around.

Humpty Dumpty Daycare is located downtown and Executive Director Tamica Georget said she was not surprised to hear what happened.

“There’s so much crime happening in the city lately and I mean downtown has become very bad,” she said.

Noting their own issues, Georget said it’s very common for the homeless people to come over and talk to the children. In response, the staff quickly come over and pull the kids over to a safer location.

“We’ve had some people yelling at us because we won’t let the children talk to them but I mean we are trying to teach the children stranger danger. It’s not easy,” she said.

Noting the spring and summer months are even tougher, because that when the kids are outside more often and going for walks, Georget said it’s not something they can simply just stop doing.

“We’re suppose to have play and exploration which is children led so they have to be outside and of course natural environment it’s what we try to strive for in a child care setting.”

Further noting they already have heavily secured doors and cameras, Georget said she may look at adding more and upgrading staff monitoring. She also confirmed that staff regularly review protocols and that children are taught what to do in case of an emergency.

Neither Children’s Choice nor Humpty Dumpty were involved in Tuesday’s incident.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell