Tuesday's assault happened at the downtown transfer station. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public Safety

City bus driver attacked during shift change

Feb 11, 2021 | 11:57 AM

Editor’s note: This story was updated on Friday to include new information from police about the investigation

For the second time in less than a month, a Prince Albert city bus driver has been assaulted in broad daylight.

The latest incident occurred around 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at the main downtown transfer station. The Prince Albert Police Service initially confirmed three patrol cars responded to the area within minutes following reports of multiple people fighting. They also indicated one woman was taken into custody at the scene for being intoxicated in public.

According to updated information from the police Friday, the investigation determined no charges will be laid. The decision was made after reviewing video surveillance and interviewing several witnesses.

“Members will continue to conduct frequent proactive patrols at this location to ensure public safety. The Community Policing Unit of the police service will also continue to work with stakeholders and the City of Prince Albert to review opportunities for landscaping updates in an effort to deter crime,” a statement said.

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Meanwhile city hall released its own statement with relation to the incident, confirming the driver is doing well.

“It has been an unusual year. We are seeing more people loitering around the transfer station who are not there to ride the bus,” the statement said.

The incident Tuesday follows one that happened Jan. 19 when a 29-year-old woman punched a bus driver on the chin after being refused entry onto the bus. She received a three-month jail sentence.

According to the statement of facts read in court at the sentencing hearing, the woman was intoxicated at the time and was involved in a separate incident on another city bus prior to the assault. A witness to the January assault, and a frequent user of the bus service, also said incidents like the one in January are “common.”

First Canada is contracted by the city to run the bus service. When contacted by paNOW for comment, the manager declined and referred questions to the city. The statement Thursday from the city indicated steps have been taken to address public safety, including the removal of benches in the shelters to discourage people from spending a lot time in the area and working with the transit contractor and the police service to offer additional driver training on de-escalation techniques.

The statement also indicated the city is working with Prince Albert Police who have conducted 56 targeted patrols of the area since Jan. 1. The police service’s Community Policing Unit is also working with the city to review opportunities for environmental or landscaping updates at the bus transfer station.

“The issue is isolated to the transfer station and we expect these measures will help to improve the situation. We will continue to explore options that may help, including an investigation into the supports that might be available for those that need a space to shelter from the cold,” the statement from the city said.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell