(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Protecting the community

Police Chief weighs in on back alley bylaw, and possible impact from this week’s warm up

Apr 21, 2020 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Chief of Police says he is paying close attention to the discussions surrounding a proposed curfew in the city’s back alleys.

The proposed bylaw could be up for three readings and final approval at next week’s city council meeting. Opponents of the bylaw have said the curfew will be discriminatory and will lead to more people of colour having the police called on them. Jon Bergen told paNOW there is another argument too.

“The designation for [back alleys] has not been for foot traffic. It’s for vehicle traffic and really, ideally for the nearby residents that need to access their personal properties,” he said.

Bergen explained the police service remains neutral on the issue, and are listening to both sides.

“We must recognize what benefits the bylaw could bring and also recognize that there’s concerns about what challenges it may bring as well,” he said.

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According to the most recent statistics provided by the police service, the total number of calls for service, for the first three months of 2020, has increased 15 per cent compared to the same period in 2019, roughly just over 1,230 more calls. With temperatures warming up this week, Bergen was asked if there are concerns related to increased criminal activity.

“It’s hard to predict what the coming months are going to bring and we are watching closely the trends with COVID-19 and what adjustments need to be made either for more restrictions or less restrictions,” he said.

To date, the police service has received 47 complaints related to non-compliance of the COVID-19 protocols, but no actual charges have been laid. Bergen explained the police service would prefer voluntary compliance.

“The discretion of laying the charge lies with the officers who respond. They understand what the orders are and so if compliance is required through an offence notice or ticket, that option is there for our staff,” he said.

Bergen added the ultimate goal is for compliance to be achieved, and for a second visit not to be required.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell